Vapors and Liquids in Boats to be Propelled thereby.
Year: 1887

page_text: Vapors and Liquids in Boats to be Propelled thereby.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has
been communicated to me from abroad by The Gas Engine and Power Company,
131st Street and Brook Avenue, New York City, United States of America, to be as
follows:-
:―
This invention relates to that class of boats which are propelled by a motive
power derived from the vaporization of naptha or other equivalent highly volatile and
inflammable liquids and has for its object to provide safe, efficient means for storing
the inflammable liquid, feeding the same to the engine, and condensing the vapor
thereof after it has expended its energy, so as to reduce to a minimum the liability of
accident from fire on board the craft because of the presence and use of the dangerous
fluid.
The invention, by which the desired object is fully attained, consists in the
combination with the boat and its feed pumps and engine, of a water-tight chamber or
compartment, formed in the boat, as far as possible from the engine, and preferably
in the bow, and communicating freely by means of suitable openings with the outside
of the boat so as to permit of a free circulation of water therein; a tank or reservoir
fitted within said chamber or compartment and which has such relative dimensions
and is so adjusted as to leave an open water space between the two; and a feed and
exhaust pipes extending longitudinally along the bottom of the boat, preferably near
to and parallel with its keel, to connect the tank with the pumps and exhaust ports
respectively, of the engine; the whole constituting a very simple, novel, compact and
effective condensing apparatus for the motive vapors, and a neat device whereby a
supply of fuel or generating liquid may be safely stored in the boat.
The compartment for the storage and condensing tank may be constructed to form
an integral portion of the boat by means of a secure, water-tight bulkhead or
transverse partition, dividing a sufficient space at the extreme front end or bow of

page_text: the boat from the remainder thereof, said partition serving to strengthen the boat at
this point.
Within this compartment, a smaller, metallic tank is fitted, of a form preferably to
correspond with that of the interior of said compartment, yet of dimensions so far
smaller as to leave an open space between the bottom and sides of the tank and the
walls of the compartment, the tank being supported therein upon interposed studs or
perforated cleats which will properly confine and uphold the tank without interrupting
wholly the continuity of the open space surrounding it.
A supply-pipe is led from the feed-pumps of the engine along the outside of the
bottom or hull of the boat below its water line, and is connected to the tank.
Independent condensing pipes are also led from each exhaust port of the engine to
the tank, along the outside of the bottom or hull of the boat below the water line and
preferably close to its keel. Both the feed and condensing pipes, as well as the lower
portion of the tank, are thus constantly submerged when the boat is afloat.
The whole, constitutes an efficient apparatus for the rapid condensation in an
inexpensive manner, of the vapor exhausted from the engine in readiness for a return
thereof to the retort in liquid form for re-vaporization, whilst the liquid supply in
reserve from which the waste is replenished, is constantly kept at a low and safe
temperature.
The tank-compartment and tank, are reached by a suitable trap and door in the top
thereof.
This invention is specially adapted for use in connection with the class of naptha
engines described in Letters Patent No. 790 of Jan. 18th, 1887.
As an equivalent for the simple condensing-pipes fitted along the outside of the
boat connecting the exhaust-ports of the engine with the supply-tank, metallic
condensing chambers of a thin, extended form, and other known descriptions of
condensing apparatus, may be fitted along the outside of the boat below the water
line to connect at the one end with said exhaust port to receive the vapor, and at the
other, with the tank to deliver the condensed liquid.
Whilst the invention is more especially designed for use with launches and
comparatively small boats it may be applied to yachts and all other vessels in which
naptha-engines or other similar motors employing inflammable liquids are fitted.
Dated this 31st day of January 1887.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant. 35

page_text: Vapors and Liquids in Boats to be Propelled thereby.
I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has
been communicated to me from abread by The Gas Engine and Power Company,
131st Street and Brook Avenue, New York City, United States of America, and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained,
in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention relates to that class of boats which are propelled by a motive power
derived from the vaporization of naptha or other equivalent highly-volatile and
inflammable liquids and has for its object to provide safe, efficient means for storing
the inflammable liquid, feeding the same to the engine, and condensing the vapor
thereof after it has expended its energy, so as to reduce to a minimum the liability of
accident from fire on board the craft because of the presence and use of the
dangerous fluid.
The invention, by which the desired object is fully attained, consists in the
combination with the boat and its feed-pumps and engine, of a water-tight chamber or
compartment formed in the boat, as far as possible from the engine, and preferably
in the bow, and communicating freely by means of suitable openings with the outside
of the boat so as to permit of a free circulation of water therein; a tank or reservoir
fitted within said chamber or compartment and which has such relative dimensions
and is so adjusted as to leave an open water-space between the two; and feed and
exhaust pipes extending longitudinally along the bottom of the boat, preferably near
to and parallel with its keel, to connect the tank with the pumps and exhaust ports
respectively, of the engine the whole constituting a very simple, novel, compact and
effective condensing apparatus for the motive vapors, and a neat device whereby a
supply of fuel or generating liquid may be safely stored in the boat.
In the accompanying drawing-
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a launch fitted with the improved apparatus, a
portion of the boat being broken away, and parts shown in section, to illustrate tho
invention more fully.
Figure 2 is a top or plan view of the bow of the launch, detached, and
Figure 3 a top view of the oil-tank fitted in the bow the sides of the boat and
the water-tight bulk-head in the bow being shown in section in line a. z. of Figure 1.
Referring to said drawing, A, represents a naptha engine of the class described in
Letters Patent No. 790 of Jan. 18th, 1887, but which may be of any suitable type

page_text: known to the art, designed to be driven by means of the gases derived from a highly
volatile liquid.
G, is a water-tight compartment to receive the storage and condensing tank. This
compartment is preferably constructed to form an integral portion of the boat by
means of a secure, water-tight bulk-head or transverse partition, HI, which serves to
divide a sufficient space at the extreme front end or how of the boat from the
remainder thereof, said partition serving to strengthen the boat at this point.
Within this compartment G, a smaller, metallic tank B, is fitted, of a form preferably
to correspond with that of the interior of said compartment, yet of dimensions so far
smaller as to leave an open space between the bottoin and sides of the tank and the
walls of the compartment, the tank being supported therein upon interposed studs or
perforated cleats y. g. g. which will properly confine and uphold the tank without
interrupting wholly the continuity of the open space surrounding it.
The tank is provided at the top with a supply port closed in the customary manner
by a screw plug or other suitable device.
The open space in the compartment G, encircling the tank B, communicates freely
with the outside of the boat by means of one or more openings c, f, pierced through
the hull, so that when the launch is afloat said space is filled with water at a low
temperature and the tank B is more or less submerged therein.
The hand-pump D, and engine pump E, of the motor are fed from the tank B by
means of a feed-pipe C, which, being fitted to the bottom of the tank is carried
directly out through one of the openings c in the side or bottom of the compartment G,
and thence closely alongside of the keel or the outer face of the hull to a point opposite
the engine, where it is led through the hull with a water-tight joint c¹ and connected
with the pumps.
The vapors exhausted from the motor are condensed and carried back to the tank B
by means of independent condensing pipes F, F, led from each exhaust port of the
engine to the tank, along the outside of the bottom or hull of the vessel, below the
water line, parallel with the pipe C, and preferably, close to the keel. Each condensing
pipe F is led, as shown in Figure 1, from the engine directly outward, and, passing
with a water-tight joint through the hull, is preferably carried first to the stern, to
extend so far as practicable the submerged length of the pipe, and then with a return
bend to the bow and through one of the openings into the compartment G and to
the top of the tank B, to which it is coupled in the usual manner with a tight joint.
The exhaust-vapor is thus subjected, before it can reach the tank B, to the cooling
influence of the water in which the vessel floats, producing when the vessel is in
motion a rapid condensation which is promoted and completed within the tank, the
tank and the feed-pipe C operating in fact, by reason of their submersion, as an
extension of the condensing pipes F.
The whole constitutes an efficient apparatus for the rapid condensation in an
inexpensive manner of the vapor exhausted from the engine, in readiness for a return
thereof in liquid form to the retort of the engine for revaporization, whilst the liquid
supply in reserve, from which the waste is replenished, is constantly kept at a low and
safe temperature.
To economize space and allow the tank B to extend as near to the bulk-head Has
possible, a recess is formed in the tank, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, just deep enough to
receive the vertical lengths of the pipes F, F, and the couplings connecting them
with the tank. The bow in which the tank B, is contained, is covered over with
boards d in the usual manner, and a trap-door or removable cover is provided, by
opening which access may be gained to the screw-plug b, and to the couplings for the
pipes F, F.
"It is evident that metallic condensing chambers of a thin, extended form, or other
well known forms of condensing apparatus adapted to be fitted along the keel or sides
of the vessel, may be connected with the condensing pipes F F, as auxiliary thereto.
Also that the invention, although more especially designed for use with launches and
small pleasure boats, may be applied to yachts and other larger vessels in which
naptha-engines or similar motors employing inflammable liquids
are fitted.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
The combination with a water-craft and with an engine for its propulsion designed
to be driven by the vapor of a highly volatile liquid which, when exhausted is
liquified and reconverted into vapor, of a water-tight compartment formed in said
craft below the water-line and communicating with the water; an air-tight metallic
storage and supply tank enclosed in said compartment so as to be immersed in the
water therein; a feed-pipe connecting the tank with the feed-pumps of the engine and
carried intermediate the two outside the vessel below its water-line; and one or
more exhaust-pipes connecting the exhaust-ports of the engine with the top of the tank
and carried intermediate the two outside the vessel below its water-line, whereby the
exhaust vapor is readily condensed after leaving the engine before reaching the tank,
the tank and feed-pipes are kept constantly cool, and the inflammable liquid is so
enclosed and stored within an envelope of water as to be safe from accidental ignition,
all substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dad the cl
1007
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.