IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT MOTORS SUCH IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PETROLEUM AND OTHER HYDRO CARBON EXPLOSIVE ENGINES
Year: 1885

page_text: We JAMES WRIGHT of 84 Lombard Street in the City of London Civil Engineer
and THOMAS CHARLTON of 18 Brook Street Bridge Road Hammersmith in the
County of Middlesex Engineer do hereby declare the nature of our Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN HEAT MOTORS SUCH IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO PETROLEUM
AND OTHER HYDRO CARBON EXPLOSIVE ENGINES and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
Our improvements relate to the mode of forming, constructing and working
certain parts and appliances of such said Engines and in combining the whole of
such parts with other well known devices so as to produce the greatest amount and
the most effective results of the force given off by the said heat.
The substances from which we propose to envolve the heat and transmuted
force are such well known hydro-carbons, being liquids, fluids, oils, vapours or
carburetted gases which when combined with common air preferably compressed,
casily fulminate and explode.
It will be evident, modifications of our different appliances will be necessary
according to the character the state and condition of the fulminating hydro-carbon
the general principle, type of struction and mode of action remaining the same.
The shape and form of the parts will also be somewhat modified according to the
particular application of the engine and whether it is of a simple or compound form
or vertical or horizontal.
The different parts, the various appliances of the apparatus connected with our
invention and the methods of combining and actuating the same we enumerate
as follows:
1. The methods means and appliances by which we collect, compress, regulate,
store, distribute, heat and mix the atmospheric air which we use.
2. The methods means and appliances for storing, compressing, heating, regulating
the pressure and supply, subdividing, vapourizing and mixing the hydro-carbon
fulminate with the compressed atmospheric air, so as to form the compressed
explosive mixture.

page_text: 3. The methods means and appliances for collecting and transmitting the
compressed explosive mixture to the working cylinder of the engine and for
regulating the quantity of the mixture introduced into the said cylinder, and
also for carrying off from the cylinder after the explosion the products of the
mixture.
4. The modes appliances and means for forming, regulating and actuating the
firing apparatus by which the explosive mixture in the cylinder is exploded called
the firing apparatus.
5. The arrangement for assisting the expulsion of the waste gases from the
cylinder after explosion and called the blow off apparatus.
6. The form arrangement and mode of actuating the primary valves used for
admitting and emitting the explosive mixture into and out of the cylinder at each
stroke and those for inletting and outletting the atmospheric air into and out of
the cylinder at each stroke.
7. The mode for actuating all the valves and pumps so as to regulate the time
when each shall come into and go out of action and also the quantity of air,
hydro-carbon fulminate, and of the combined explosive mixture and other products
regulated by them.
8. The form and mode of jacketing the cylinder.
9. A new form of cylinder and corresponding piston having for object to permit
the use of force giving media at high temperatures and pressures and at the same
time to obviate the destructive effects of the heat upon the motor or rubbing parts
of the said piston and cylinder.
10. A mode and means for compressing the air by stages, being by separate
cylinders each in succession acting upon the air and gradually increasing its
tension.
The force generated in the cylinder by successive explosions is by means of the
piston and connecting rod transmitted to the crank axle and fly wheel in the usual
well known way and requires no explanation.
We will proceed first to describe and illustrate each part of our invention and its
mode of action, and afterwards describe and illustrate the whole combined and
forming a simple reciprocating engine shewing the action of each part with the
others so as to work in unison and give off the dynamic effect desired.
The Compressed Air Receiver: This is a vessel of sufficient strength and capacity
to store the compressed air requisite for combining in due proportion with the
hydro-carbon fulminate, so as to form a proper explosive mixture: It is connected
with the air pump of the engine, so that on starting the Engine compression of the
air can be effected by the pump; although when the engine is at work, the
compression is effected by wholly different means: It is also connected by means
of a conduit supplied with suitable valve with the compressed outlet air passage
leading from the engine Cylinder, and it is by this medium and by the action of
the piston in the cylinder, that it is kept supplied with compressed air.
The Regenerator: this appliance forming a portion of our invention may be
'made use of or omitted as wished; for although advantageous when used, in some
cases the use would not be compensated, by the inconvenience from the additional
space required: It is preferably in form cylindrical having its interior fitted with
small pipes with interstitial spaces between; heated areform waste gases are made
to pass through the tubes in one direction, so as to leave a portion of their heat
in the metal composing the tubes: the compressed air or it may be the hydro-carbon
fulminate is made to pass in the contrary direction through the inter-spaces and in
turn absorb a portion of heat from the outer surfaces of the pipes.
The forms of both these are so simple and well known and have been so fully
In some
described that we do not append any drawings to illustrate the same:
cases where space is of importance the compressed air receiver the regenerator and
an oil store, hereinafter described, may be so combined and constructed as to form
part of the engine frame generally it will be more convenient to have them apart
in separate vessels.

page_text: The next part of our invention and one of great importance is called the Spray
bath and mixing chamber.
To illustrate and more fully to shew its form we accompany this specification
with drawings of the same; the drawings upon sheets No 1. and N° 2. are intended
to illustrate the general type and form of the usual parts of our invention and
shew how the same is actuated and worked. It is understood however that well
known modifications may be made in the form and mode of working the same so
long as the desired object of each part is obtained.
Figures (1.) (2.) (3.) and (4.) illustrate the Spray bath and mixing chamber before
referred to the letters indicating the same parts in each of these figures do not
apply to or indicate the same or similar parts in other figures of the said drawings:
Each group of figures illustrating a different part of our invention having letters to
indicate its corresponding parts and these parts or letters have no connexion with
the same letters or parts in another group of figures.
Figure (1) is a vertical section: Figure (2) a side elevation of the apparatus.
Figure (3) a horizontal sectional plan showing the straining plates: Figure (4.) is
the side view of the junction of the mouth in figure opposite to it.
The compressed air by means of the action of the piston as hereinafter described
is forced from the air receiver and passed through the regenerator, if that apparatus
is used, and from that it enters the port (a) (figure 1.) and raising the spindle
valve (b) enters the chamber (f.): the valve (b) mounted on the spindles (c.) is set
and may be actuated by means of the screw spindle (d) which is turned by the
wheel (e).
A pump called the oil pump mounted upon and drawn by the engine, draws oil
or such other hydro-carbon fulminate as is intended to be used from the oil
store and forces it into the receiver (h) compressing it to a point predetermined:
a small equilibrium or throttle valve is mounted in a passage connected with
the reservoir (h) (not shown in the drawing), and this valve is regulated by the
governor of the engine, so that the quantity of oil supplied to the reservoir is
proportioned to the work of the engine: another valve (i) (figure 1.) is mounted in
a passage connected with the reservoir (h) and is weighted by means of the
spring () to a pressure equal to that predetermined for the oil in the reservoir so
that when the pressure of the oil in (h) exceeds that required, then without in any
way interfering with the pump, the valve (2) opens, the pressure is relieved and
the oil returns through () to the oil store: the reservoir (h) is mounted upon the
cover and is prolonged by means of the passage (m and n) with the spray bath
proper as shown in figure 1: the small hand cock (o). is for the purpose of shutting
off communication between the oil reservoir (h) and the spray bath proper: a little
below the lower mouth of the passage (n) and within the spray bath are mounted
two plates (r and 8) called straining plates: the under surface of the upper lying
upon the upper surface of the under these plates are perforated throughout their.
thickness with small holes or orifices the holes in the upper being concentric with
those of the under forming one continuous passage as in (figures 1 and 2) instead
of holes they may be small parallel slips in each similarly placed as described for
the holes: the upper plate is mounted so as to be moved parallel over the surface
of the under by means of the screw spindle and wheel (w): it is also kept in
accurate position by means of the spring (8). It will easily be seen that if in the
normal condition the holes coincide, a slight movement of the upper plate will
destroy the coincidence, and thus lessen the passage through the plates: (9.) is a
port leading to a passage (g) (figure 3.) terminating in a pipe or conduit which
leads to the upper inlet ports of the engine cylinder.
The action of the apparatus is as follows: the oil or fulminate being pumped
from the store into (h) under the predetermined pressure, the quantity and the
pressure being regulated by the throttle valve and the valve (i) as before described,
falls through the passage (m. n.) upon the plate (r.) and is forced through the holes
in both plates in such a manner that when it issues from the holes in the lower
plate (s.) it is in a state of minute subdivision resembling spray or vapour and

page_text: continuing to fall it meets the compressed air, admitted through the valve (b) and
mixing with it forms the compressed explosive mixture which passes through the
port (g) into the passage (g) leading to the cylinder.
The Firing Apparatus: This part of our invention is shewn in figures 5 and 6
sheet 1 of the appended drawings: the whole of this apparatus is mounted upon
and preferably attached to the upper part of the engine cylinder as shewn in
1st sheet of drawings figures (5) and (6) which also shew the connecting rods and
gear for actuating it by means of a cam on the engine shaft: (a) is a rocking shaft
driven by means of rods from the cam on engine shaft which actuates the lever (b):
a spring (c) is fixed at one end to the lever (b) the upper end being free and
working against a curved stud (b) upon a ram or piston (d) which works vertically
within the small cylinder (e): (f) is a small passage communicating with (g) and
with the interior of the cylinder (e): () is another passage also communicating
with (e) and with a passage (j): within the passage () is mounted a conical
plug (i) so as nearly to fill the passage leaving only a small annular space around
it. In () the upper part of (e) is mounted a spindle valve (m) which rises and
falls within (e): (n) is a part leading from (e) (1) and (2) into a passage
connecting it with the interior of the working cylinder: (o) (figure 6.) is a small
opening communicating with (c) and (n).
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The ram (d) is as shewn at the
commencement of its stroke, the valve (m) is on its scat closing communication
between (n) and the interior of (e): the chamber (g) by means of the open passage (f)
and the tube () by means of the passage (h) are both in communication with the
cylinder (e) and (e): a light constantly burning is fixed in (g); a volatile and
casily flammable mixture gas or vapour is introduced by (j) into the chamber (h)
and passing through the annular space formed by the plug (i) fills the upper part
of the cylinder (e) is ignited by the light in (g) and burning matter then exists in
the ports (f) and (k) and the port of cylinder marked (e) the rocking shaft
actuated by the cam lifts the lever (6), and with it the spring (c) raising the
ram (d) which gradually covers the port (f) and shutting off communication
between the chamber (g) and (h) at the same time lifting the spindle of the
valve (m) opens communication with the passage (n) along which the burning gas
flame runs and at the prearranged moment fires the explosive charge then within
the working engine cylinder: the vapor lighted may be introduced at the small
port (o) the explosion in the cylinder presses down the valve (m) the spring (c)
permitting the ram to drop quickly so as to prevent any jar upon the cam motion.
The action thus described is repeated for the next explosion and the next stroke of
the engine.
The Blowing out Apparatus: this apparatus consists of a passage or pipe
communicating with the compressed air receiver or with any separate vessel con-
taining highly compressed air it also communicates with a port leading into the
cylinder, within it is a valve or cock actuated by a cam or other similar motor
drawn by the engine.
When the explosion within the cylinder has taken place and the piston is near
the bottom of the down stroke, the valve or cock is opened and permits a charge of
the compressed air to enter and assists in forcing the waste products of explosion
out of the cylinder.
The next part of our invention relates to the form the arrangement and mode of
actuating the primary valves for admitting the explosive mixture into the cylinder
and after explosion for emitting the waste gases from the cylinder.
Figures (7.) (8.) and (9) sheet No 1. illustrates the following description of these:
Figure (7) is section upon the line (a.) (y.) of figure (9) and figure (8) a similar
section on line (x) (y) of figure (9).
Figure (9) itself being a sectional plan of the valve box and the lugs attaching it
to the cylinder surrounded by proper water jacket (g), (a) is the junction of the
passuge () in figures (2) and (3) with the passage (b) in the valve box of the
spindle valves (c) and (h): (c) is the inlet valve for the explosive mixture passing

page_text: to the cylinder: the spindle (d) passes through the stuffing box (e): (f) the
passage leading to the inlet port of the cylinder: (h) is the outlet valve for passing
off the products after explosion; these come along (f) and out at the passage (m)
figure (8) and are carried off to the regenerator or into the atmosphere: (i) the
valve spindle passing through the gland (k).
The action is as follows: the compressed explosive mixture flowing from the.
spray bath through the conduit enters at (a) into the passage (b): the mixture
valve is at that moment raised by the cam action and allows the mixture to rush
along the passage (f) and to enter the cylinder where it impinges upon the upper
face of the piston after the explosion and when the piston commences its return
stroke the valve (h) is opened and the valve (c) being shut the waste products
partly from their own tension and partly by the action of the piston rush along the
passage (f) and escape along the conduit (m) either into a regenerator or into the
atmosphere: the action is repeated each stroke.
The Cylinder, Piston and Air valves:
Figure (10) is a vertical section of the cylinder, piston and the air valves.
Figure (11) an elevation of the same: (A) is the cylinder surrounded by a water
jacket (a) (b) the inlet port of the jacket: (b₁) the outlet: (c) the inlet port for
the explosive mixture: (d) the piston rod: (e) the piston passing through its
stuffing box (o) and gland (p): (f) the atmospheric air entrance valve within its
box (f) (g) the valve for emitting the air after it has been compressed by the
piston (g) its box: (h) the passage opening into the conduit leading to the
compressed air receiver...
The action is as follows:-the compressed explosive mixture entering at (c) by its
tension assisted by the momentum of the fly wheel impinges on the upper surface
of the piston and starts it upon its down stroke; when it reaches a predetermined
point in the cylinder the firing apparatus explodes the mixture giving the requisite
force to the piston driving it to the bottom of the cylinder and of course com-
municating to the crank axle and fly wheel it then begins its return stroke and
at that moment the waste product valve is opened and so also is the valve (f) the
valves (g) and the inlet explosive valve being closed: as the piston begins to ascend
the air entering at (f), fills the cylinder, while the waste products escape from it;
on the return stroke of the piston the valve (f) remains open until a point is
reached where it is judged sufficient air remains to form a charge and at that
moment the valve (f) is shut and the piston commences to compress the enclosed
air: when the pressure reaches a point in excess of the pressure in the compressed
air reservoir, the valve (g) which is kept shut by the pressure of the air in the
reservoir now opens and the air leaves the cylinder and is expressed into the
receiver this is of course repeated each stroke.
Figure (12) is a view of the top of cylinder and cover.
Figure (13) a view of the bottom.
Figure (14) is a section of the upper end of cylinder and piston shewing a
system of jacketing combining both air and water.
Figure (15) a semi sectional horizontal plan of same.
These latter end figures need no explanation.
The use of air and water jackets for the purpose of absorbing and carrying off
portions of the great heat so rapidly envolved by the explosion are so far effective
in preserving the working parts of the cylinder and piston nevertheless they cause
a very large loss of the transmuted force and for that reason when by any device
they can be got rid of a great corresponding economy in power is obtained.
For that purpose we adopt a form of cylinder and piston of the shape shewn in
figure (16). The cylinder has its upper part shewn by the hatched lines and formed
of a greater diameter than the lower part within which the piston proper works:
this upper part is lined so as to be the same diameter as the lower part with any
substance which is a powerful non-conductor and. highly resistant of heat, such as
graphite, gannester or such like compounds: the lower part is of the usual form
make and material: The piston is formed in two main parts joined together, the

page_text: upper part of cast iron or such like and made to fit nearly the upper part of the
cylinders, The lower part of the usual form: the whole may have a jacket, and if
deemed necessary; the lower or working part of the cylinder is nearly equal to the
throw of the crank and the upper part about the same length, When the mixture
is exploded as before mentioned, the explosion takes place in the upper part of the
cylinder and nearly the whole effective impulse of the heat and transmuted force
then operates upon the head of the piston, the lining retaining a large portion of
the heat and radiating or conveying it very slowly away: by this arrangement a
much greater amount of the force is retained and made effective upon and during
the action of the piston.
In order to secure a high pressure and tension in the compressed air and to avoid
a strain upon the piston while producing it as berewithin described we in some cases
prefer compressing by stages and for this purpose we adopt two or more cylinders
so arranged that while the first cylinder will compress the ordinary atmosphere up
to say one half of the desired pressure, it is then passed on to the second cylinder
entering it under the pressure attained in the first, and by means of the action of
the piston of the second cylinder acting as described in the first it is expressed and
driven to the receiver with a much higher tension: This may be repeated with a
third cylinder if greater tension is required; This is a mode of compressing which
we believe to be better and more economic than when effected by a single action of
the one piston in one cylinder.
Having now described fully the nature of our invention as envolved in each of
the separate parts of our engine, we shew by figures 17. 18. and 19. the whole
combined in a simple vertical single acting engine.
Figure (17) is a side elevation and figure (18) an end elevation and figure (19) a
plan of the engine complete.
A is the led plate B the general frame of the engine: B₁ the compressed air
receiver built within the frame; B₂ the hydro-carbon oil store: C the spray bath
and mixing chamber where the compressed air and vaporized oil mix: D the
compressed oil bath into which the oil is pumped from B₂: E the passage along
which the compressed explosive mixture passes into the valve boxes attached to the
upper end of the cylinder: F the cylinder: the piston and piston rod O: G the
outlet passage for the escape of the waste gases after explosion; M N the valve
boxes: m n spindles of the respective inlet and outlet valves: m₁ n₁ the spindle
rods connected by means of other rods m, n, with the cam on the engine shaft:
H the firing apparatus: I the air passage by which the compressed air passes to the
air receiver from the cylinder.
Suppose the engine about to start, the piston is at the top of the cylinder: the
inlet atmosphere valve at bottom of -cylinder is open, the latter filled with common
air the outlet compressed valve is shut and therefore in connexion with the air
receiver which we shall suppose is filled by a temporary pump to a predetermined
pressure with compressed air: the oil by any temporary pump has been forced into
the oil receiver, also at a predetermined pressure: the firing valve is closed but
ready to open and the waste product valve is shut.
The valve from the air receiver and the cock of the oil receiver is simultaneously
opened the air rushing up meets the oil in a highly divided state after passing
through the straining plates forming a compressed explosive mixture which rushing
off by the explosive mixture passage into the valve box, (the valve being raised)
enters into the top of the cylinder and by its tension acting upon the head of the
piston urges it downwards until it reaches a point previously so arranged that the
force of the explosion shall have the most effective action at this instant the
firing valve raises and the explosion of the mixture takes place closing the inlet
valve and the piston receives the full impulsive force driving it to the bottom of the
stroke: At a point predetermined and dependent upon the quantity and pressure of
the air required, the inlet air valve is closed and the outlet valve remains also shut
till the pressure of the air contained in the cylinder reaches a point a little over
that in the receiver when the outlet valve being held shut by the back pressure

page_text: from the receiver is opened and the compressed air passes into the receiver which at
the same moment forces out a corresponding quantity to the regenerator or the
spray bath and so the action is repeated: when the piston reaches the end of its
down stroke the outlet waste valve is opened and also the blow out valve and the
products of combustion by the action of the return stroke of the piston and the blow
out apparatus are expelled from the cylinder into the air or into the regenerator
when such is used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First: The method appliances and means of compressing and measuring atmo-
spheric air for the purpose of using it in connexion with other matters to form an
explosive compound by means of the action of the piston within the cylinder in
connexion with the air valves and receiver as herewithin described and shewn in
the appended drawings by figures 10. 17 and 18.
Second: The method means and appliances by which we compress regulate the
supply and tension, and by which we subdivide vapourize and mix Hydro-carbon
oils or spirits whether liquids fluids vapours or gases for the purpose of using the
same in combination with compressed atmospheric air to form an Explosive
compound substantially as herewithin described and illustrated in figures 1. 2
and 3 in the drawings appended.
Third In combination with these two claims we claim also the form and
arrangement and (mode of working the valves for inletting the said explosive
mixture into the cylinder prior to explosion and for outletting the waste products
after explosion substantially as herewithin described and more particularly illus-
trated in the appended drawings, figures 7. and 8.
Fourth In combination with the previous mentioned claims we claim the form
and arrangement of parts and the various appliances constituting the firing
apparatus and the mode of actuating the same as a whole: and we also claim the
arrangement of the ram and piston with the mode of actuating the same by means
of the rocking shaft lever and spring as shewn in figures 5 and 6 of the drawings
and we claim in connexion with the same, the use of the fixed constant light with
its separate chamber and in connexion with it the flammable gas and the arrange-
ments for keeping it in communication with the fixed constant light and more
particularly the means by which through the action of the Piston we put the
lighted gas in communication with the passage leading to the cylinder for exploding
the mixture there and shutting off from the same:
Fifth We claim the use of a compressed explosive mixture of such a tension
that when it enters the top of the cylinder it will of its own force assisted by the
momentum of the fly wheel or cranks drive the piston down a portion of its stroke
so as to permit the explosion to take place at such a moment as to produce the
most effective action upon the crank axle, substantially as herewithin described.
Sixth: The form and mode of jacketing the cylinder as shewn in figures 14
and 15 of the drawing and herewithin described.
:
Seventh The mode of constructing and forming the cylinder and piston as
shown in figure 16 and substantially as herewithin described.
Eighth The mode of compressing air by stages by the use of two or more
cylinders and as herewithin described.