Improvements in Hydrocarbon or Gas Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydrocarbon or Gas Engines..
I, JAMES FRANK DURYEA, of No. 70 Montrose Street, in the City of Springfield,
County of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention 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 hydrocarbon engines and provides improved means for
automatically regulating the needed supply of hydrocarbon and air for volatilizing
the same by heat before it passes into the engine cylinders; improved electric
igniters for exploding the charge of gas in the cylinders and for regulating the
time of such explosion.
The following is a description of my invention, reference being had to the
drawings:
Figure 1 is a side clevation of an engine constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3, Figure 2, showing the cam-shaft by
which the exhaust valves are operated!
Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 4-4, Figure 2 of the mechanism
for controlling the supply of the hydrocarbon fed to, the atomizer and adjustment
of the delivery of atomized hydrocarbon to the cylinders, and means for regulating
the supply of air to be united with said hydrocarbon and for regulating the quantity
of said mixture admitted to suid cylinders.
Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of Figure 4 taken on line 5-5,
Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6, Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a sectional view of the explosion chamber and the in-take' and
exhaust ports of one of the cylinders.
Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7, of Figure 7.
Figure 7 is a section on line 7b7b, of Figure 7.
יז'
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of the igniter device showing means for
making and breaking the circuit and for regulating the time of such making and
breaking relative to the position of the piston in the cylinder.
The engine herein described is of the well known class having two or more single
acting cylinders receiving an impulse only on every other stroke.
Referring to the drawings, B and B are oppositely located cylinders having piston-
rods connected to a common crank-shaft C. C₁ is the balance-wheel. A casing B³
encloses the crank-shaft and piston-rod. In one end of the bosses b, b, on the tops
of each of the cylinders, are located the explosion chambers D, which communicate
with the cylinders. A partition divides the bosses b, and in that partition is a port
closed, by a valve 6 on the end' of the eccentric rod 7. A supply-pipe 2 and an
exhaust pipe 3, are connected to the arms 2 and 3 of the bosses b. The valves 4
and,5 fit the inner end of said supply and exhaust pipe, respectively.
017

page_text: The eccentric rod is operated by a suitable cam to open the port of the explosion
chambers at the proper time, and also to open the exhaust-valve 5.
The valve of the supply-pipe is opened by the suction of the pision on its
dead-stroke when it is drawing a charge of hydrocarbon gas into the cylinder. The
valves 4 and 5 are closed by the springs 4 and 5. The exhaust valve 5 is opened
br the eccentric-rod at substantially the same time and by the same movenient
which opens the valve 6, after the explosion in the cylinder. This movement of the
rod 7, brings its bevelled shoulders d, d, into engagement with the end of the stem
of the exhaust valve 5, raising the latter from its seat.
At the beginning of the movement of the piston to draw in a fresh charge of
hydrocarbon, the rod 7, actuated by its spring, moves back again far enough to
release the stem of the valve.5, which then closes by its spring 5. Thus the rod 7
makes two retracting movements, the first one permits the exhaust valve to close,
as stated, leaving the valve 6 open, and it is at this time that a fresh charge is
drawn into the cylinder.
The means employed for operating the rods 7, whereby movement is imparted
to valves 5 and 6, consist in a shaft H, supported in proper bearings above and
parallel with the crank-shaft, and said shaft II is revolved once to each two
revolutions of the crauk-shaft by the gear M on said crank-shaft in mesh with
gear M on the shaft II. On said shaft H is a cam 35 of such contour as will move
the valve 6 to the two positions shown in the dotted lines in Figure 7, for the
purpose described.
Conveniently located near the engine is a long cast-iron trunk E, which is
divided longitudinally into the chambers 8 and 9. Through suitable pipe
connections a part of the exhaust gases are passed through the chamber 8, before
passing out into the air, and through the chamber 9 the atomized hydrocarbon is
passed on its way to the cylinder. The exhaust gases keep the chamber 9 hot, and
the atomized hydrocarbon passing therethrough becomes volatilized by the heat
and is practically made a fixed gas and remains so long as its temperature is main-
tained, and in its volatilized and expanded condition, is drawn into the cylinder.
This treatment ensures such perfect combustion of the gas that it is practically
odorless when burned.
The means for supplying the liquid hydrocarbon to the atomizer, for regulating
said supply and for regulating the proper quantity of air to be mixed therewith,
are constructed and arranged as follows:-
A reservoir R is located between a supply tank (not shown in the drawings) and
the trunk E. A pipe 10 connects said reservoir and tank and a suitable pipe
connection 28 is made between the reservoir and the chamber 9 in the trunk E.
This last-named pipe-connection screws into a neck 20 on the reservoir R in which
neck is located the atomizer tube 19.
The latter connects with the passage 16 in the wall of said reservoir, which
passage is contracted, as at 17, the said contracted part being controlled by a valve-
rod 18 which extends upward to a point within convenient reach of the operator.
By operating this valve-rod, the supply of liquid hydrocarbon which may be
drawn through the atomizer-tube may be regulated or cut off entirely.
An opening R', is made in the neck 20, through which air is drawn into the
passage 28 by the suction of the piston-rod at the proper time.
The amount of air necessary to the proper combustion of the atomized hydro-
carbon is regulated by two plates 21 and 24. The latter is fixed, and the plate 21,
fitting closely against the plate 24, is rotatable..
An opening 22 through said plates provides a passage for the minimum amount
of air required. To provide an increased quantity, portions 25, of said plates 21
and 24 are cut out from their peripheries. When the plate 21 is rotated so that
the cut-away portions above-named are opposite each other, the maximum amount
of air may be drawn into the passage 28. Thus by the manipulation of the pin 26,
secured to the plate 21, the air-supply is regulated.
The reservoir R, is placed below the supply-tank, and the liquid hydrocarbon

page_text: Hows into said reservoir by gravity. A certain level of said liquid is maintained
by a float 12, connected to a valve 13 which automatically opens and closes the
inlet 14 with which the pipe 10 from the supply-tank communicates.
The connection between the valve 13 and the float 12 is a spring-arm 15 pivoted
at 15, which spring is made of such strength that when the float rises and closes
the inlet 14, said arm will be under more or less tension and any jolting or other
movement that the engine may be subjected to, if applied to a motor wagon or
launch, will permit a slight movement of the float without any corresponding
movement of the valve.
Means for controlling the amount of atomized hydrocarbon mixed with air
which may be drawn into the expansion chamber 9, are provided by the vertically
located valve 29 in the passage 28 between the chamber 9 and the reservoir R. On
the stem of said valve is a spring 30 which closes said valve.
A lever 31 is attached to the stem of said valve at 32, as shown in Figure 4, and
also indicated in Figures 1 and 2. A rod 33 is secured to the free end of this lever
and is located so as to be within convenient reach of the operator. On said rod
are a series of notches 34, (see Figure 1) which serve to hold it at any desired degree
of elevation and to indicate to the operator the extent to which the valve 29 may
be opened.
This valve is operated in connection with the rod 18 above mentioned according
to the amount of work required from the engine.
In Figure 8 is illustrated on a somewhat enlarged scale means for varying the
time of the explosion in the cylinders relative to the positions of the pistons therein
and the device is constructed as follows:
A plate m, made of any material which is a good non-conductor of electricity,
is hung centrally on a stud n, in a suitable frame L, in such position that the
centre of the stud will be in line axially with the shaft H, and the said plate m
will lie in a plane parallel with the gear M', and in proximity to it.
A
Means for turning said plate on its stud are provided in the grip-bar 30.
On diagonally opposite corners of the plate m, are two spring fingers 37 and 38.
The free ends of these spring fingers lie substantially opposite each other.
wire 39 and 39ª, connects said fingers to one end of the secondary circuit of the
coils 40 and 41 (see Figure 2). The free ends of said fingers are provided with
outwardly turned beveled lips 37" and 38, which project toward the gear M Two
screws, 42 and 43, pass through the plate m, opposite the free end of the
fingers 37, 38, but are not in contact therewith.
Wires, 44, 44, connect said screws with, one pole of a battery 45. From ide
opposite pole of said battery wires 40 lead to one end of the primary circuit of the
coils 40 and 41.
From the opposite ends of said primary circuit of said coils, the wires 47 lead to
any convenient point, as 47, on the frame of the engine, and from the ends of the
secondary circuit of said coils opposite the ends to which the wires 39, 39ª are
attached, wires 48, lead to the binding-posts 49, 49" of the igniter posts 50, 50º,
which are located in the walls of the explosion chamber D, and project therethrough
into said chamber.
The said igniter-posts are preferably of porcelain and have a wire, 51, of
platinum, or other suitable metal, molded therein and connected to said binder-
posts. A point 51* of said wire projects from the end of the posts into the explosion
chamber. Said igniter-posts are held in a metal plug 52, which is screwed into
the wall of the explosion chamber, a nut 53, holding said posts in place. A wire 54,
preferably of platinum, is inserted in said plug 52 in proximity to the inner enu
of the igniter-posts 50. Said two platinum wires 51 and 54, have their points bent
toward each other, and terminate in close proximity to each other, as shown in
Figure 7.
On the side of the gear M', is secured the insulated notched metal block 55. The
location of this block is such that during the revolution of the gear M', the edges
of the notches thereon will have a light contact with the lips 37" and 38° of the

page_text: spindles 37 and 38. Said contact moves said spring-fingers alternately against the
ends of the screws 42 and 43, which alternately opens the circuit in cach of the
cylinders B, B¹.
As stated, this circuit is broken only within the cylinder by the separation
of the two points of wires.51 and 54, but the current of electricity is of such strength
as to bridge the space between said wires, which results in a spark, whereby the
charge in the cylinders is ignited. The passing of the block 55 across the end of
the spring-fingers breaks this current as many times as there are noteles'in said
block, thereby produoing an intermittent sparking effect between the points of
the wires in the explosion-chambers of the cylinders.
...
Assuming that the point of contact. between the block, 55, and one of, the spring
fingers 37, 38, takes place when the piston lias reached its extreme rearward
movement, if it is desired to retard the explosion in the cylinder until the piston
has again moved forward a certain distance, the plate m can be so adjusted that, the
contact of the block 55, will not take place until the piston is in the required
position.
It will thus be seen that the within described construction embodies improved
means for feeding the liquid hydrocarbon to the atomizer and for regulating the
supply thereof, improved means for regulating the supply of air to be mixed with
said. hydrocarbon, improved means for regulating the quantity of said mixture to
be drawn into the cylinders, improvements in the sparking device and means for
heating the gas before it is carried into the cylinders.
:
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 hydrocarbon engine, means for supplying volatilized hydrocarbon to
said engine consisting of a supply tauk, a reservoir placed below the level of. the
bottom of said tauk, a pipe connection from said tank to said reservoir, a float-
actuated valve for automatically maintaining a quantity of liquid hydrocarbon in
said reservoir, a pipe connection from said reservoir to the cylinders
of said cugine, an atomizer tube in said pipe, communicating with
the interior of said reservoir, an opening in said pipe for the admis-
sion of air, and means for regulating the quantity of air so admitted, a valve
in said pipe for regulating the quantity of atomized hydrocarbon and air to be
drawn into the said cylinders, and a heating chamber in said pipe connection for
heating said atomized hydrocarbon between said reservoir and said cylinders,
substantially as described.
2. In a hydrocarbon engine in combination, a supply tank for liquid hydro-
carbon, an intermediate reservoir between said tank and said engine, located on 'a
lower level than said tank, suitable pipe connections between said'engine, reservoir,
and tank, means in said reservoir for regulating the quantity of hydrocarbon which
can be drawn therefrom 'by one stroke of the piston of said engine, and means for
automatically controlling the quantity of hydrocarbon in said reservoir, consisting
of a float therein, an inlet port communicating with said tank, a suitably pivoted
alve having a seat in said port, and a spring-arm attached thereto by one end and 4
whose opposite end has a free engagement with said float, substantially as
described.
3. In a hydrocarbon engine, means for operating the exhaust valves consisting
of the rod having a suitable endwise movement, a valve 6 thereon, a beveled
shoulder d, on said rod 7, the valve 5, closing the exhaust port, the stem of which 5
valve is engaged by said beveled shoulder for opening the valve, and a suitable
spring 5 on said valve-stem against which said opening movement takes place,
combined with a suitable cam-operated rod 7, for opening said valve 6, and
permitting said valve 5 to close before, the closing of said first-named valve,
substantially as described:
.
4. In a hydrocarbon engine, an electric circuit for causing the ignition of the
'
5

page_text: hydrocarbon gas in the cylinders of said engine, the ends of which circuit terminate
in close proximity to one another within said cylinders, and means outside of said
cylinders for making and breaking an electric current in said circuit at any desired
point in the path of movement of a piston in said cylinders, substantially as
described.
5. In a hydrocarbon engine, means for atomizing liquid hydrocarbon and
regulating the quantity of air to be mixed therewith, consisting of an atomizer-
tube connected with a suitable reservoir containing a supply of hydrocarbon, a
neck on said reservoir enclosing said tube, a plate 21 axially rotatable in said neck,
a plate 24 fixed in said neck, and in contact with said plate 21, as shown, air
passages 25, in said plates, a central air-passage 22 through said plate 21, an
opening R, through the side wall of said neck, and a pipe connection from said
neck to the cylinder of said engine, substantially as described!
6. In a hydrocarbon engine, means for atomizing liquid hydrocarbon and
regulating the quantity of air to be mixed therewith, consisting of an atomizer-
tube connected with a suitable reservoir containing a supply of hydrocarbon,
a neck on said reservoir enclosing said tube, a plute 21 axially rotatable in said
neck, a plate 24 fixed in said neck, and in contact with said plate 21, as shown,
air passages 25 in said plates, a central air-passage 22, through said plate 21, an
opening R', through the side wall of said neck, and a pipe connection from said
neck to the cylinder of said engine, a valve 29, and a heating chamber in said pipe
connection between said atomizer and the cylinder of said engine, substantially
as described:
7. A gasolene or other hydrocarbon engine consisting of a plurality of cylinders
connected to a common crank-shaft, a gasolene supply tank, one exhaust chamber
common to said cylinders, pipe connections between the latter and said chamber,
pipe connections between said supply tank and said cylinders, a heating chainber
interposed in said last-named connection and adjoining said exlfaust chamber, an
atomizer in said connections between said heating chamber and said tank, means
for regulating the supply and relative proportions of gasolene and air, a float valve
for automatically controlling the flow of gasolene from the supply tank to said
atomizer, and an open-circuit electric igniting device in said cylinders, and means
outside of the latter for automatically closing said circuit at a predetermined point
in the stroke of the piston of said engine, substantially as described.
Dated this 1st day of May Town.
JAMES FRANK DURYEA,
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.