Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1897--Accepted, 26th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
I, WILLIAM SAMUEL COLWELL, of 5432, Lexington Avenue, in the City of
Chicago, County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Mechani-
cal 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:-
My invention relates to rotary engines and more particularly to the multi-
piston class and that type of such class employing the movable form of abutment,
which is withdrawn to permit the piston to pass and then introduced into or
across the steam space as soon as practicable after the piston has proceeded beyond
its plane of movement.
Although the art of rotary engines is very old, it is nevertheless acknowledged
to be in an imperfect and impracticable state, owing to many defects which have
heretofore existed apparently as necessary evils in this type of engine. The most
serious of these has been the necessity with prior constructions to exhaust and
withdraw the abutment at a point where the piston has yet a large degree of its
course to complete, and the inability of such prior construction to fully reinstall
or introduce the abutment at substantially the instant it is cleared by the piston;
thus on the one hand discharging the steam or other pressure before it has ex-
pended its maximum expansive force in propelling the piston, and on the other
hand leaving the piston without positive propelling power or pressure a great and
serious length of time after it has passed the plane of movement of the abutment.
Another serious defect of prior constructions has been the inability to keep
the piston shaft under positive rotating power or pressure throughout its com-
plete rotation or travel and at the same time utilize to a maximum degree the
expansive force of the steam without having the piston shell or cylinder of such
extensive diameter as to make its use practically prohibitory.
My invention is mainly designed to overcome these defects, and it has for one
of its important objects to cause the abutment to quickly return to its position
behind the piston head and across the steam space the instant the piston head has
passed the plane of movement thereof.
Another object of my invention is to provide improved and effective means for
very rapidly withdrawing the abutment to permit the piston head to pass, whereby
the engine may be run at a higher rate of speed than heretofore and the abut-
ment at the same time allowed to remain in its effective position across the steam
space until the expansive force of the charge of steami propelling it has been
utilized to the maximum degree.
Another object of my invention is to provide improved means whereby the
abutment is actuated to recede from and enter the steam space at such time only
when it is free from pressure, thereby avoiding excessive friction and enabling
the easy and punctual operation of the abutment.
Another object of my invention is to withdraw the abutment by positive means
having operative connection with the piston and acting in unison therewith, and

page_text: to instantly return the abutment at the proper period by means acting inde-
pendently of the piston.
A further object of my invention is to provide a multi-piston engine in which
both sets of valves for each piston may be reset or reversed and the time of opera-
tion of the abutment accordingly varied, by one and the same movement.
A still further object of my invention is to provide improved and simple means
for varying the time of closing of the admission valve whereby the speed of the
engine is automatically regulated.
And a still further object of my invention is to provide a shell in which the
piston head is housed with a removable section for affording access to the interior
thereof, and at the same time have the construction such as to permit of the
entire shell, including such section, being provided with a continuous steam
jacket.
Other objects of minor importance will hereinafter appear.
With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of novelty in
the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described,
shown in the accompanying drawing and particularly pointed out in the claims:
In the said drawings-
Figure 1 is a general plan view of my improved engine.
Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof looking from the engineer's post.
Figure 3 is an end or side elevation looking from the right in Figures 1 and 2.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the valve gear showing it as in Figure 3.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section taken lengthwise of the main shaft,
on the line 4-4, Figure 3, and looking from the right in Figure 3.
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on the same line.
Figure 5 is a detail vertical section of one of the piston shells and parts con-
tained therein, taken on the line 5-5 Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a detail sectional view of the piston head, taken on the line 6-6
Figure 5, on a slightly enlarged scale.
Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 8 is a detail plan view of the abutment, a portion of the shell in which
the abutment is housed being shown in section.
Figure 9 is a detail edge view of the abutment.
Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9-9 Figure 8.
Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken concentrically of the abutment
and through the packing ring a.
Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of one of the piston shells and connected
parts, partly broken away and partly shown in vertical section transversely of
the main shaft, illustrating the removable section of the shell in position.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of one of the piston shells, showing the removable
.section thereof removed and the piston head exposed through the opening.
Figure 12 is a detail face view of the removable section of the piston shell.
Figure 13 is an edge view thereof.
Figure 14 is a face or side view of the packing seated in the face of the remov-
able section.
Figure 15 is an edge view thereof.
Figure 16 is a detail side elevation of the mechanism for withdrawing the abut-
ment, shown on an enlarged scale.
Figure 17 is a plan view thereof, showing a portion of the abutment.
Figure 18 is a detail view showing the pull-rod hereinafter described for opera-
ting the abutment in the act of raising the latch or lock which holds the abut-
ment against premature withdrawal.
Figure 19 is a similar view showing the lock raised and the pull-rod in engage-
ment with the catch which co-operates with said rod to effect the withdrawal of
the abutment as hereinafter described.
Figure 20 is a detail view of the lock looking from the left in Figure 19.
Figures 21 and 22 are respectively a side elevation and plan view of the catch.

page_text: sleeve through which the reciprocating pull-rod operates.
Figure 25 is a detail side elevation of the end of the pull-rod.
Figure 20 is a cross section of one of the admission valves taken on the
line 26-26 Figure 27.
Figure 27 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 28 is a side elevation of the valve stem detached, showing the means
of connecting it with the valve.
Figure 29 is a view of the valve shown in Figure 27 looking at right angles
to the view in such figure.
Figure 30 is a top view of the valve stem shown in Figure 28.
Figure 31 is a cross section of one of the exhaust valves taken on the
line 31-31 Figure 32.
Figure 32 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 33 is a detail side elevation of the valve gear link for operating the
admission valves, also showing certain portions co-operating therewith.
Figure 34 is a similar view showing the link in a different position ready to
operate the lower valve.
Figure 35 is a detail view of the link detached.
Figure 36 is a plan cross section of the link taken on the line 36-36 Figure 35.
Figure 37 is a front elevation looking towards the edge of the link, showing
its operative relation to the portions which actuate the admission valves.
Figure 38 is an enlarged detail view of certain crank arms and a cam which
effect the oscillation of the valve and govern the time of closing thereof.
Figure 39 is a similar view showing the parts in a different position.
Figure 40 is a side elevation thereof looking from the right-hand side in
Figure 39.
Fig. 41 is a detail view showing in side elevation the crank arm to which the
dash-pot rol is connected for closing the admission valve.
Figure 42 is a plan view thereof.
Figure 13 is a detail edge view of the valve tripping cam hereinafter described.
Like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.
To gain in a maximum degree the advantages of my improvements it is essential
that they be embodied in the form of a multi-piston engine having a separate shell
or steam piston space for each piston, but it will nevertheless be understood that
certain features of my invention as indicated by the claims hereinafter are useful
in a single engine or engine having but one piston and shell or cylinder.
1 represents the main shaft of the engine, which is journaled at its opposite ends
in suitable journal boxes 2 mounted upon portions 3 of the main frame. Each
of the shells in which the pistons are housed and work is mounted upon a portion 4
of the main frame, and is preferably composed of two portions 5-6 having peri-
pheral flanges 7-8 bolted or otherwise secured together so as to form an annular
steam space 9 in which the piston head works. These sections 7-8 of the shell
are each provided with a suitable stuffing-box 10 through which the shaft 1 passes,
and mounted upon and keyed to the shaft 1 in each of the shells is a piston disk 11
provided with an arm or projection 12 to which the piston head, presently to be
described, is secured.
As shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 4* this disk 11 is snugly housed between
those portions of the shell members 5-6 that are bounded by the annular steam
space 9 and are brought together against the disk. 11 and are each provided in
their opposed faces with an annular recess 13ª, in which are formed a number of
annular groves 13 which completely surround the shaft 1 and in each of which is
located a suitable packing ring 14 capable of adjustment from the exterior by
means of a set screw 15. In order that the waters of condensation may be with-
drawn from the annular spaces thus formed between the projecting rings 14 the
said spaces are connected by short tubes 16 (see Fig. 4) with a blow-off cock 17.
18 represents a steam chest which is suitably secured to each of the piston

page_text: shells and to each of which chests extends a branch supply pipe 19 communicating
at its upper end with a common supply pipe 20 in which the throttle valve 21 is
located for regulating the supply of steam to both steam chests simultaneously.
Each of these steam chests is also provided with a cell 22 into which the movable
abutment 23 is retracted when being withdrawn to permit the piston head to
pass. This cell 22 is in communication with a slit 24 extending through the side
of the shell and being of slightly larger diameter than the interior of the steam
space 9 so as to provide a seat or shoulder around the inside of the steam space
for the abutment 23 as more clearly shown in Figure 8. The abutment 23 is
provided with a stem or arm 25 which is secured to a short shaft or pivot 26, and
this stem is housed in a supplemental box 27 secured to the side of the chest 18
and having an enlargement 28 which communicates with the cell 22 so as to
permit the abutment to swing outwardly clear of the steam space 9. This box 27
and its enlargement 28, however, is made separately from the chest. 18 and of
less vertical thickness. simply for the sake of saving material, and it is, of course,
evident that the chest 18 and the cell 22 may be made to accomplish the desired
object without the special form of box 27-28 just described..
The piston head, as before described, is secured to the arm 12 of the piston
disk 11, and it preferably consists of a block 29 fitted over the arm 12 and being
embraced by a pair of face plates 30 between which are located a number of pack-
ing rings 31 surrounding a ring 32, a bolt 33 being passed through the plates 30,
block 29 and arm 12 for binding the parts snugly together. In order that the
packing rings 31 may be adjusted and held firmly in contact with the surface of
the steam space 9, the block 29 is provided with a number of cut-away places 34,
as more clearly shown in Figure 6, in each of which is arranged a bow spring 35,
which presses normally against the inner side of the ring 32 and forces it outward
and is provided with a set screw 36 secured in the block 29, whereby the tension
of the springs may be regulated. If desired, the face plates 30 and block 29 may
also be bound together for additional security by means of bolts 37.
On each side of the abutment 23 is formed a complete set of inlet and exhaust
ports for the steam space 9. The supply and exhaust ports above the abutment are
shown at 38-39 respectively and below it at 40-41 respectively. Each of the
exhaust ports is provided with a valve, one of which is closed when the other is
open, by automatic means hereinafter described. The valve of the upper exhaust
port is shown at 42 and of the lower exhaust port at 43. These exhaust ports may,
if desired, be respectively connected to pipes 44-45, which on both engines lead
to a common discharge pipe (not shown) arranged at any convenient place.
The inlet port 38 is provided with a valve 46 and the inlet port 40 with a
valve 47, and mechanism which I shall presently describe is provided whereby the
exhaust ports are alternately opened and closed as the engine is reversed, and one of
the inlet ports is closed and rendered inactive while the other alternately opens and
closes to supply and shut off the steam to the steam space 9. These supply and exhaust
valves are preferably the rotary type and elongated longitudinally so as to guard long,
narrow ports. Each of the exhaust valves 42-43 is provided with a cylindrical
face which seats outwardly so that the pressure in the steam space 9 will decrease
the liability to leakage, while the supply valves 46-47 are provided with cylindrical
faces which seat inwardly so as to be held to their seats by the pressure of the
steam in the steam chest 18. Each of the valves 46-47 is provided in one end
with a slot or socket 48 in which is fitted a head 49 on each of the valve stems 50
so that the rotation of the stem will be imparted to the valve. Each of the valve
stems 50 passes through a suitable stuffing box 51 (see Fig. 2) on the side of the
steam chest and then through a bonnet supported on the side of the steam chest
and comprising a pair of arms 53, and bearing 52, for the purpose of supporting the
outer end of the valve stem, which is considerably elongated for the sake of con-
necting it with the valve operating mechanism. Each of the valve stems is held
against longitudinal movement by means of a collar 54 abutting against the
inner side of the bearing 52.

page_text: Each of the exhaust valves 42-43 is provided with a valve stem 55-56 respec-
tively, which is connected to its valve by means of a head like the head 49, and
a socket like the socket 48, already described with reference to the inlet valves,
and each is surrounded by a stuffing box 57 and supported at its outer end by a
bonnet comprising a bearing 58 which is secured to the side of the steam shell by
means of arms 59, the valve stems 55-56 being held against longitudinal movement
by means of collars 60 secured thereon and abutting against the inner faces of
the bearings 58.
Mounted loosely or independently rotably upon the outer end of each of the
eapply valve stems 50 is a bell crank lever. One arm 61 of the said bell crank
on the upper one of said valve stems is provided with a stud or lug 62, while
the other arm 63 carries a pivoted spring-actuated dog or pawl 64 having a hook 65
adapted to engage a tooth 66 carried on one side of a crank arm 67 which is
rigidly secured to the upper valve stem 50 so that by the oscillation of the bell-
crank arms 61-63 the valve stem 50 may be rotated through the intermediary
of the spring pawl or dog 64, the spring 68 of such dog or pawl being arranged to
normally hold the dog in engagement with the tooth GG, and when so oscillated to
permit the pressure to enter the steam space 9 as long as the supply valve 46 is
thus held open.
The said bell crank lever on the lower valve stem 50 also has one of its
arms 69 provided with a lug 70 similar to the lug 62, while its other arm 71
carries a pivoted dog or pawl 72 similar to the dog 64, and having a tooth engaging
with a lug or tooth 73 carried by a crank arm 74 like the crank arm 67, fixed to
the lower valve stem 50.
In order that either of the bell cranks on the valve stems 50 may be oscillated
according to the direction in which it is desired to run the engine, I employ a
valve gear having a link of a peculiar form, which I will now describe. This link
and its relation to the parts connected with the valve stems 50 is more clearly
shown in Figure 3* and may be designated generally by the numeral 75. It is
provided at its mid-length with a contracted passage which is adapted to be raised
or lowered into engagement with one or the other of the studs 32-70, each of
which is provided with a flanged head 76 whereby the stud may better remain in
place and the liability of the link pulling off of the stud avoided. When the stud
is in this contracted passage and the link .75 oscillated or moved back and forth,
the bell crank lever carrying such stud will cause the supply valve, to which that
bell crank has operative connection, to open and admit steam between the abutment
and the piston head and to remain open as long as the dog 64 or 72 is in engage-
ment with the tooth 66 or 73. When one of the studs 62-70 is being thus
embraced by the centrally located contracted portion of the link 75, and the valve
to which it is operatively connected is being thus operated, the other one of the
supply valves is, of course, at rest; and in order that the studs 62 or 70 by which
the latter valve is operated may stand clear of any moving part of the link 75
capable of imparting oscillation to the stud, I provide the link at opposite ends
with the widened or diverging portions clearly shown in Figure 3. The bell crank
arm 61 which carries the stud 62 remains in the position shown in Figure 3* when
the upper supply valve 46 is closed and at rest. If now the link should be moved
to the right as viewed in Figure 3* the lower supply valve would be opened owing
to the oscillation of the arm 69 and the upward pull of the dog 72 on the arm 74,
but the stud 62 would not be molested because of the space between such stud
and the upright side of the link. If, however, it should be desired to run the
engine in the opposite direction and the link 75 should be elevated a sufficient
distance, which is accomplished by the act of reversing the engine, an inclined or
diverging side 77 of the link 75 would come against the under side of the stud 62,
and, crowding the arm 61 over to the left and into a more upright position, would cause
the upper supply valve 46 to open, the stud 62 at the completion of the upward
movement of the link 75 being situated with respect to the link where the stud 70
is now shown in Figure 3. In the meanwhile a diverging or inclining side 78

page_text: of the link 75 will have permitted the arm 69 to fall to the left as the stud 70
comes down such incline 78, and in so falling permit the lower supply valve 47 to
close. By thus forming the link 75 it will be seen that I provide means whereby
the reversal of the engine automatically gathers the supply valves to the positions
which they are intended to occupy during the subsequent running of the engine in
that direction.
Each of the supply valves 46-47 is preferably closed by means acting inde-
pendently of the means just described for opening it, and as an effective and simple
means for this purpose I employ for each of the valves a dash-pot 79-80 respectively,
the former being connected by rod 81 to the side of arm 67 opposite to that on
which the tooth or lug 66 is situated (see Fig. 41), while the dash-pot 80 is con-
nected by a similar rod 81 to the arm 74, so that as soon as the arm 67 or 74 is
released by the dog 64 or 72 the dash-pot will cause the valve to instantly close.
In order, now, that the time of closing of the supply valve in operation may be
varied or governed in accordance with the speed of the engine, I locate upon each
of the valve stems 50 a cam 82 (see Figs. 38 to 40), which is provided with an
arm 83. This cam 82 on the upper valve stem 50 is adapted to bear against an
arm or projection 84 on the dog 64, so that when the cam is rotated on the stem 50
it will crowd the dog 64 out of engagement with the tooth 66 and permit the dash-
pot 79 to close the upper supply valve 46. The lower one of the cams 82 is adapted
to bear against a similar projection 85 on the dog or pawl 72, and thus, when
rotated, crowd the dog 72 out of engagement with the tooth 73 and permit the
dash-pot 80 to instantly close the lower valve 47. These arms 83 are respectively
connected by two horizontal rods 86 to opposite ends of a lever 87, which is fulcrumed
at 88 on a standard 89, between the points of connection with the arms 86, and its
upper end is connected by a rod 90 to a crank arm 91 on a rocker shaft 92 journalled
in a box 93 on each of the piston shells and extending athwart the engine so that
its oscillation will affect the valve mechanism on both sides alike, it being, of
course, understood without detail description that the valve mechanism and other
parts described with reference to one of the piston shells and pistons—or, in other
words, with reference to one side of the engine are duplicated on the other side.
This rocker shaft 92 is rotated or rocked more or less, according to the speed and
load of the engine, by suitable connection with a common or any suitable form of
governor 94, the connection shown consisting of a rod 95 secured to a crank arm. 96
on the shaft 92 at one end and at its other end to a lever 97 suitably connected to
the governor. Thus it will be seen that when centrifugal force carries the governor
weights outwardly and oscillates the lever 87 to the left the lower one of the rods 86
will be pulled to the left, as viewed in Figure 34, and the lower supply valve 47
will consequently be permitted to close as before described, if the dog 72 should be
at that time in the act of raising the arm 74. On the other hand, should the con-
tracted portion of the link 75 be in engagement with the upper stud 62, the move-
ment of the rod 86 to the right would have the effect of throwing the dog 64 out
of engagement with the tooth 66 and permitting the dash-pot 79 to close the
valve 46, should it at that time be held open by the pawl 64. This simultaneous
opposite movement of the rods 86 and arms 83 is, it will be seen, incidental to the
arrangement of the arms 67-74, through the medium of which the supply valves
are opened and closed, it being desirable to set such arms to opposite sides of the
valve stems 50 as shown in Figure 34 and, consequently, to employ a corresponding
arrangement of the bell crank levers and cams located upon the stems 50.
The link 75 is provided on one side with a yoke 98 which straddles the narrowed
or contracted portion thereof, as more clearly shown in Fig. 36, and is provided
with an opening 99 for the passage of the flanged heads 76 of the studs 72-70.
This voke 98 is secured to the upper end of a supporting rod 100 whose lower end
is pivoted to one end of a crank arm 101 secured on a rocker shaft 102 extending
athwart the machine and being connected at its opposite end to a crank arm 101*,
which, like the crank arm 101, supports the link supporting rod 100 at the opposite
side of the engine. This rocker shaft 102, at a point convenient to the engineer's

page_text: post, is provided with a reversing lever 103, whereby the oscillation of the lever
will raise or lower both links 75 at opposite sides of the engine. The links 75
are given their backward and forward movement by means of connecting rods 104
pivoted to the yoke 98 on each of the links 75 at one end and at their other ends
to levers 105, each of which latter derives its oscillation from an eccentric 106
arranged at each end of the main shaft 1 and having its strap connected by rod 107
with the lever 105, each of the latter being pivoted at 108 to a portion of the main
frame.
In order that the exhaust valves 42-43 above and below the abutment on each
engine or on each side of the engine may be alternately opened and closed as the
engine is reversed-that is to say, in order that the valve above the abutment, for
instance, may be closed when the exhaust valve below the abutment is opened-I
provide each of the valve stems 55-56 with a crank 109 and connect such crank
arms together by means of a connecting rod 110 whose lower end is provided with
a projection 111 secured to the arm 101 at one end of the shaft 102 and to the
arm 101 at the opposite end of such shaft 102, so that by the movement of the
reversing lever 103 the links 75 on both sides of the engine and the crank arms 109
will be simultaneously raised and lowered, whereby one of the supply valves on
each side of the engine is rendered active and the other inactive, and one of the
exhaust valves is opened while the other is closed on each side of the engine, and
all this by one and the same movement of the reversing lever 103. In order that
the lower end of the connecting rod 110 may move with the crank arms 101-101*
in a direction contrary to the movement of the crank 109, the connection between
the lower crank 109 and the lower end of the rod 110 is slotted.
I will now describe the means whereby the abutment 23 is rapidly withdrawn
to permit the piston head to pass, and instantly returned or re-installed behind
the piston immediately after the piston has passed beyond its plane of movement.
The upright shaft 26, to which the abutment arm 25 is secured, extends through
a suitable stuffing box 112 on the upper side of the box or chamber 27, and has
iis upper end journalled in a supporting bracket 113, between which latter and
the box 112 is situated a crank arm 114 securely keyed to the shaft 26, as inore
clearly shown in Figure 17. This crank 114 is provided with a ball wrist 115
socketed in one end of a pitman 116 whose other end is provided with a scchet
receiving a ball wrist 117 on a rotary portion having preferably the form of a
disk 118, so that by the rotation of the latter the crank arm 114 is oscillated and
the abutment 23 consequently withdrawn from or inserted into the steam space 9,
the ball wrists 115-117 providing for the compound movement of the pitman 116,
as will be understood. The disk 118 is mounted upon a shaft 119, which in turn
is mounted in a suitable support or box 120 secured to the upper side of the
peition 28; and to one side of the disk 118 is pivoted a rod 121 which extends
downwardly to and is operated by a dash-pot 122, the latter exerting a normal
tendency to rotate the disk to the right or downwardly independently of the
positively operating parts of the engine, and consequently serving to instantly
return the abutment 23 to its position immediately behind the piston head when
the disk 118 is not under the control of other agencies. In order that the inward
or returning movement of the abutment may be limited and the abutment prevented
from striking into its seat or socket in the steam space with undue force, I provide
the periphery of the disk 118 with a shoulder 123 which, when the abutment has
reached the limit of its movement, comes into engagement with a fixed stop 124
sui ported upon the main frame at 125. One side of the abutment is also provided
with an independently movable packing block 126 having a flat stem 120ª fitted
in a suitable socket therein, as shown more clearly in Figures 8 to 9. and being
pressed normally outward by suitable springs or cushions 127 as will be under-
stood. This packing block 126 is of sufficient dimensions to completely fill the
groove 128 constituted by the periphery of the piston disk 11 and the sides of the
members 5-6 of the shell, and thus serving at once to prevent the escape of steam

page_text: past the abutment while avoiding any undue shock that might be occasioned by
the insertion of the abutment, even in the absence of the stop 123-124.
In order that the abutment may be rendered absolutely steam tight as it rests
upon its seat within the steam space 9, I provide both its upper and lower edges
with a packing ring a, which completely surrounds it as shown in Figures 8 to 9".
Each of these packing rings a is seated in a groove shown in Figure 9* and is
pressed normally away or outward from the abutment by means of springs or other
cushions b interposed at suitable intervals between the packing rings-the grooves
in which the rings are seated being counter-bored from side to side of the abutment,
for the accommodation of the springs b.
The rings a are held from accidental dislodgement from the grooves by screws c
having their ends threaded in the abutment and their heads seated in the rings
with the requisite play. The rings a pass on either side of the flat stem 126", while
the broadened head of the packing 126 overlaps the rings, as clearly shown in
Fig. 94.
By this means it will be seen that the abutment is always steam tight, and any
pressure tending to compress the packing ring on one side will permit the springs b
to force the ring on the other side outward against the abutment seat, and as the
abutment never leaves the narrow slit in which it fits, the rings a, even though
normally projecting beyond the plane of the abutment, can never catch on the edge
of the abutment seat.
In order that the abutment may not be prematurely withdrawn or displaced the
disk 118 is provided with a second shoulder or notch 129 with which engages a
locking dog or pawl 130 as soon as the abutment has reached the extremity of its
inward movement, such dog or pawl 130 being pivoted at 131 to a supporting
arm 132 and falling by gravity into engagement with the shoulder 129, and the
edge of the disk 118 between the shoulder 129 being smooth or plain so that when
the dog or pawl 130 is elevated and the disk rotated towards it, it will rest upon
such plain edge which will slide thereunder until the shoulder 129 and pawl 130
coincide. One side of the disk 118 is provided with a pivot pin 133 upon which is
pivoted a catch 134. This catch is straddled by a bifurcated end 135 of a sleeve 136,
which end is provided with downwardly projecting ears 137 having vertically
elongated slots 138 through which the pivot 133 passes, the slots 138 being of
sufficient size to permit the sleeve 136 to rise and fall. Reciprocating within the
sleeve 136 is a pull-rod 139, whose inserted extremity is beveled preferably at top
and bottom, as more clearly shown in Figure 25, and provided near by and on its
under side with a hook or tooth 140 which, when the rod 139 has been inserted
into the sleeve 136 to a sufficient extent, comes into engagement with the pivoted
catch 134 and thus hitches itself to the disk 118. At the same time and by the
same movement the upper bevel on the rod 139 engages under a depending lip 141
on the dog or pawl 130 and thereby lifts such dog out of engagement with the
shoulder 129, and leaves the disk 118 free to be rotated by the rod 139 when the
latter is pulled in the opposite direction,, as clearly shown in Fig. 18. When
the rod 139 is pulled to the left, as viewed in Fig. 16, the abutment is rapidly
withdrawn from its position across the steam space. By the time the piston head
has cleared the abutment or passed its plane of movement a lug or trip 142, secured
to the side of the disk 118, comes into engagement with the under side of a pro-
jection 143 extending from the forward or right-hand end of the catch 134, and as
the disk 118 continues to rotate this trip 142 gradually crowds the projection 143
upwardly with respect to the rod 139, while the pivot pin 133 at this time is moved
downwardly, and consequently the hook 140 is soon disengaged with the catch 134,
the vertically elongated slots 138 of the ears 137 in the meanwhile permitting the
supporting sleeve 136 to rise with relation to the pivot pin 133. The instant the
hook 140 disengages the catch 134 the dash-pot 122 returns the disk 118 to its
normal position and quickly and at the same time reinstalls the abutment.
The catch 134 provided at its opposite end with an elongation or projection 144
which comes against the under side of the sleeve 136, and thus limits the inde-

page_text: pendent rotation of the catch 134 to the right and holds it normally in position to
be engaged by the hook 140. By this means it will be seen that a comparatively
slow movement of the disk 118 at its periphery will result in a very rapid move-
ment of the abutment 23, inasmuch as the peripheral movement of the disk 118 is
multiplied in the abutment by reason of the comparatively short crank arm 114
and long arm 25. Hence it is also seen that by causing the reciprocating rod 139
to engage the catch 134 at or about the time the movement of the rod reverses it
will engage the catch without shock or jar, and the abutment will be very rapidly
and almost instantly thrown out of the steam space without the clash and shock
heretofore occasioned in attempts to accomplish this by the sudden engagement of
rapidly moving parts. As a result of this construction, therefore, I am enabled
to permit the abutment to remain in place a much longer time, and thus utilize
the expansive force of the steam to a far greater degree than has heretofore been
possible, because the abutment may remain in place until barely time to remove
it to permit the piston head to pass, without the necessity of making allowance for
the engaging parts, by which the abutment was heretofore removed, to come into
harmony of movement without shock or jar. In short, it is evident that with the
construction which I have described the engagement of the reciprocating pull-
rod 139 with the catch 134, if made at substantially the instant of the change in
direction of movement of the rod, cannot result in material shock or jar however
rapidly the rod may be moving; and, therefore, it is possible to move the abutment
even more rapidly than the travel of the piston and yet permit the abutment to
remain in its full effective position until an exceedingly short space of time before
the piston head will have reached the opposite side of the abutment plane of
movement.
may
The reciprocating pull-rod 139 has a much greater movement than is required for
the mere oscillation of the disk 118, and in order that its end may not project
beyond the catch 134 and place the engineer in danger of injury, the sleeve 1:36
is employed to support the hook end of the rod, while the rod in turn supports the
end of the sleeve. This rod 139 is reciprocated by some positively moving part of
the engine, and a part whereby the time of withdrawal of the abutment be
varied when the engine is reversed, it being of course understood that if the piston
head should start from the position shown in Figure 11 for instance, to the left,
the abutment would have to be removed to permit the piston head to pass at a
different time with respect to the movement of the piston head from the time at
which it would be removed should the piston head start from such position and
revolve to the right. As a convenient and effective means for accomplishing this
variable reciprocation of the rod 139 I prefer to employ an ordinary link mechanism
which I will now describe. The usual eccentrics of such link mechanism are
shown at 145-146 respectively and mounted upon the main shaft 1. Their straps
are provided respectively with eccentric rods 147-148 which, as usual, are con-
nected to opposite ends of the link 149. The reciprocating rod 139 is pivoted to
the upper end of a lever 150 whose lower end is fulcrumed at 151 to the portion 152
of the main frame, and is provided at an intermediate point with a stud or block 15:3
which engages in the link 149 and which imparts the oscillation of the link to the
pull-rod 139. The link 149 is provided on one side with a yoke 154 which straddles
the two sides of the link, as will be understood, and to which is pivoted an arm 155.
This in turn is pivoted to the lower end of a crank arm 156 whose upper end is
secured to a rock shaft 157. (See Fig. 1.) The lower end of this crank arm 156
is connected to the arm 155 by being secured to a short shaft 158, to which is
secured the arm 159 arranged on the opposite side of the engine and corresponding
with the arm 155, the arm 156, however, serving for the oscillation of both arms 155
-159 simultaneously. As shown in Figure 1 the rocker shaft 157 is provided
with an upwardly projecting crank arm 160 to which is pivoted one end of a con-
necting rod 161, whose other end is attached to the reversing lever 103, so that
by the movement of the reversing lever the links 149 on opposite sides of the engine
will be raised and lowered. In the position shown in Fig. 3 the stud or block 153

page_text: is in line with the eccentric rod 147, and is consequently in position to impart the
movement of eccentric 145 to the pull rod 139. Should the engine be reversed
the link 149 would be raised and the stud 153 would then be in line with the lower
eccentric rod 148, which latter would then actuate the pull rod 139 while the other
eccentric 145 would have no effect upon the rod 139. Should the link 149 be
raised half way, it would simply oscillate upon the block 153, and the
rod 139 would consequently remain at rest as usual in the operation of
link mechanism. By ths means the abutment is withdrawn sooner or later with
respect to the movement of the piston head accordingly as the engine is started in
one direction or the other. The eccentrics 145-146 are so set with respect to
the stroke of the rod 139, however, that they will begin their rapid movement at
about the time the hook 140 of the rod 139 coincides with the catch 134, so that the
full movement of the eccentrics may be imparted to the abutment substantially at
the instant the withdrawing movement of the abutment commences.
Thus it is seen that not only are the inlet and exhaust valves of both sides of
the engine reset or readjusted to the proper positions by one and the same revers-
ing device, but the times of withdrawal of both abutments are also varied with
respect to the travel of the piston heads with respect to and in unison with the
alteration in the positions of the exhaust and inlet valves.
"
Each of the piston disks 11 is provided with but a single piston head, as is evi-
dent from the drawing, but these piston heads are set on the half" with relation
to each other, so that when one is acting under the expansive force alone of the
steam, the supply having been cut off by the supply valve 46, the other will be
taking steam and acting under the combined expansive and storage pressures.
In this manner, and by the employment of the improvements described whereby
the abutment may be allowed to remain a much greater length of time than here-
tofore and instantly return without loss of time after it is cleared by the piston
head, I am enabled to shut off the supply and run by expansion throughout a
greater degree of the circle than has heretofore been practicable, and consequently,
as I have before stated, utilize the expansive force of the steam to a maximum
degree. Should both pistons be located in a single shell of a sufficient diameter
to utilize on each piston the full expansive force of the steam before exhausting,
the shell would be of such great magnitude or diameter as to render its use pro-
hibitory for many practical purposes.
Each of the piston shells is provided with a continuous steam jacket. This
may be formed by constituting in each half of each shell a cell or space 162,
which completely surround the shells and are provided in the meeting faces of
the sections 5-6 with cross-over passages 163 as shown in Fig. 5, whereby the
steam may pass from one section of the shell to the other. The purpose of this
steam jacket is to thoroughly warm or heat the engine before the steam supply
is turned on for running it, so that the maximum expansion of the parts may be
attained at the outset; and in order that this continuous steam jacket may receive
steam irrespective of the supply to the engine itself, I provide a separate pipe 164,
which leads from the main supply pipe 20 between the source of supply and the
throttle 21 down to and is connected with each of the shells, and is provided with
a cock 165 whereby the supply to the jackets may be shut off when desired.
Each of these jackets 162 may be drained of water of condensation through a
suitable blow-off 166, and the piston space 9 may also be drained by a similar
blow-off 167.
In order that the piston head may be readily accessible without the necessity
of taking the shell sections 5-6 apart, I provide each of the shells, or one of their
halves on one side of the piston space 9, with a removable section 168 having
suitable flanges 169 and an embedded packing 170, whereby the section is firmly
and hermetically secured in place, a number of bolts being passed through the
flanges 169 into depressed flanges 172 on the main portion of the shell. This
removable section, like the main portion of the shell, is provided with a part of
the steam jacket, and in order that the steam may enter this part and circulate

page_text: there through, the face of the section 168 is provided with a cross-over passage
173, which registers with a similar passage 174 in the face or flange of the oppo-
site half of the shell. This removable section is also provided with a blow-
off 175 for draining the steam jacket therein of water of condensation.
176 is a pulley located on the main shaft between the two sets of eccen-
trics 145-146 and connected by a suitable belt (omitted for the sake of clearness)
with a pulley 177 which drives the governor.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
1. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head, a steam
space therefor, a movable abutment, an exhaust port on each side of said abut-
ment, an inlet port between each of said exhaust ports and abutment, means for
closing one of said exhausts when the other is open, a valve for controlling each of
said inlet ports and a valve gear having means of operative temporary connection
with both of said valves alternately but not simultaneously whereby one of said
inlet valves remains at rest while the other is active, substantially as set forth.
2. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam space
therefor having inlet and exhaust ports; a movable abutment; a member movable
back and forth; means for moving said member back and forth having operative rela-
tion to said piston; means having operative connection with said abutment
located at substantially the extremity of the stroke of said member and adapted
to be engaged by said member for withdrawing said abutment, and means for
returning said abutment, substantially as set forth.
3. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor having inlet and exhaust ports; a movable abutment; a reciproca-
ting member having operative connection with said piston means having opera-
tive connection with said abutment and being located at the extremity of the
stroke of said reciprocating member and adapted to be engaged thereby for with-
drawing said abutment; a trip for automatically releasing said means from its
connection with said reciprocating member, and means for returning said abut-
ment, substantially as set forth.
4. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head, a steam
space therefor having inlet and exhaust ports, a movable abutment, positive
means of operation connected with said piston for withdrawing said abutment,
a trip for releasing said means from its connection with the abutment, means
operating independently of the piston for instantly returning the abutment, and
an automatic lock for holding the abutment from premature withdrawal, sub-
stantially as set forth.
5. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head, a steam
space therefor having an exhaust port and an admission valve, means operatively
and positively connected with the piston for opening said valve, a governor for
releasing the valve from its operative connection with the piston, means acting
independently of said piston for closing the valve, a movable abutment, means
for withdrawing said abutment co-operatively connected with said valve opening
means, and means acting independently of the piston and of said valve opening
mechanism for returning said abutment, substantially as set forth.
6. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor having an exhaust port and an admission valve; means operatively
and positively connected with the piston for opening said valve; a governor for
releasing said valve from its operative connection with said piston; means acting
independently of the piston for closing said valve; a movable abutment; means for
withdrawing said abutment, co-operatively connected with said valve opening
means; and means acting independently of said piston and of said valve opening
means and exerting a continual tendency to return said abutment to a position
across the steam space, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 7. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment, a revoluble
piston head; a steam space therefor having a valved exhaust port and an inlet
valve on each side of said abutment; a valve gear for opening said inlet valves
having operative connection with said piston; a reversing device having con-
nection with the exhaust valves for alternately opening and closing them
respectively and also having operative connection with said valve gear for alter-
nately bringing the valve gear into active and inactive relation to the inlet
valves, said valve gear being without permanent connection with either of said
inlet valves, and means for operating said abutment, substantially as set forth.
8. A rotary engine having in combination a pair of revoluble piston heads
connected together and set at different degrees of the circle which they describe
whereby one will receive direct pressure of steam while the other acts solely under
the expansive force of the steam admitted behind it; an annular steam space
for each of said pistons, each provided with an exhaust port and an inlet port;
a valve for controlling each of said inlet ports; means for alternately opening
said inlet valves; a movable abutment extending across each of said steam
spaces; oppositely reciprocating members for alternately withdrawing said abut-
ments, each of said members being provided with means for becoming detach-
ably connected with one of said abutments, and the last said means being
located substantially at the extremities of the movements of said members res-
pectively, and means for returning said abutments, substantially as set forth.
9. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam space
therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet and an exhaust valve on both sides of said
abutment; said inlet valves being independent and disconnected; a valve gear
having a link arranged in operative relation to both inlet valves for opening either
of them; a second link operating in unison with the piston and having means of
connection with said abutment for withdrawing it, and means for returning said
abutment, substantially as set forth.
10. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet and an exhaust valve on both sides
of said abutment; a valve gear having a link arranged in operative relation to both
of said inlet valves for opening either of them; a second link operating in unison
with the piston and having means of connection with said abutment for withdrawing
it, said links being operatively connected together whereby they will shift in unison,
and means for returning the abutment, substantially as set forth.
11. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet and an exhaust valve on both sides
of said abutment; a valve gear having a link arranged in operative relation to both
of said inlet valves for opening them; a second link operating in unison with said
piston and having means of connection with said abutment for withdrawing it;
à reversing lever; a shaft to which said lever is secured; a crank arm on said shaft;
a rod pivoted to said crank arm and supporting the link of said valve gear; a
second rock shaft rotatively connected with said reversing lever; a crank arm
secured on said rock shaft and supporting said second link, whereby said links
will be shifted in unison, and means for returning said abutment, substantially as
set forth.
12. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet and an exhaust valve on both sides
of said abutment, said exhaust valves being connected together whereby the opening
of one will close the other; a valve gear having a link arranged in operative rela-
tion to both inlet valves for opening them; a second link operating in unison
with the piston and having means of connection with said abutment for with-
drawing it, said links being operatively connected together whereby they will
shift in unison, and a reversing device having operative connection with said links
and also with said exhaust valves, substantially as set forth.
13. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet and an exhaust valve on both sides

page_text: a rod
of said abutment, said exhaust valves being provided with crank arms;
connecting said crank arms together, whereby the opening of one exhaust valve
will close the other; a valve gear having a link arranged in operative relation to
both inlet valves for opening them; a second link operating in unison with the
piston and having means of connection with said abutment for withdrawing it;
a rocker shaft; a reversing device or lever secured to said shaft; a crank arm or
said rocker shaft; a rod pivoted to said crank arm and supporting said valve gear
link, the said rod which connects the crank arms of the exhaust valves being also
pivoted to the crank arm on said rocker shaft; a second rocker shaft operatively
connected with said reversing device and having a crank arm supporting said
second link, substantially as set forth.
14. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; an abutment;
an inlet valve and exhaust port on both sides of said abutment; a movable portion
or lug having operative connection with each of said inlet valves, and the valve gear
for opening said inlet valves having a portion provided with a contraction adapted
to engage with either of said movable portions or lugs and the diverging or inclined
portion leading from said contraction, substantially as set forth.
15. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and exhaust port on both sides
of said abutment; a movable stud or lug having operative connection with each of
said inlet valves, and a valve gear for opening said inlet valves, having a link
vided with a contracted portion adapted to engage with either of said studs or lugs
and a widened portion incapable of engagement with said studs or lugs, substantially
as set forth.
pro-
16. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both
sides of said abutment; a crank arm on each valve stem of said inlet valves, having
a stud or lug; a valve gear for opening said inlet valves having a link provided with
a contracted portion adapted to engage with either of said studs or lugs and a
widened portion incapable of engaging with said studs or lugs, substantially as set
forth.
17. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both sides of
said abutment; a movable stud or lug having operative connection with each of
said inlet valves and a valve gear for opening said inlet valves, having a link pro-
vided with a contracted portion adapted to engage with either of said studs or lugs,
and two widened portions incapable of engaging with said studs or lugs, substan-
tially as set forth.
18. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both sides
of said abutment; a movable stud or lug having operative connection with each
of said inlet valves, and a valve gear for opening said inlet valves, having a link
provided with a contracted portion adapted to engage with either of said studs or lugs,
and a widened portion converging towards said contracted portion and being
incapable of engaging with said studs or lugs, substantially as set forth.
19. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both sides
of said abutment; a movable stud or lug having operative connection with each of
said inlet valves, and a valve gear for opening said inlet valves, having a link
whose opposite extremities are widened and incapable of engagement with said
lugs, and gradually converging towards a contracted portion at the mid-length
of said link, and which contracted portion is adapted to engage with either of said
lugs or studs, substantially as set forth.
20. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both sides
of said abutment; a movable stud or lug provided with a flanged head and having
operative connection with each of said inlet valves, and a valve gear for operating

page_text: said inlet valves, having a link provided with a contracted portion adapted to
engage with either of said studs or lugs and a widened portion incapable of engaging
with said studs or lugs, said flanged heads being lapped over the edges of said link,
substantially as set forth.
a
21. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor, a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on both sides
of said abutment, each of said inlet valves being provided with
stem; a bell crank loose on each of said valve stems; a second crank fixed on each
of said stems and having a tooth; a stud carried by one arm of each of said bell
cranks; a pivoted dog carried by the other arm of each of said bell cranks and
adapted to engage one of said teeth; a cam for each of said dogs for crowding the
same off said tooth; a pivoted lever having opposite ends operatively connected to
said cams respectively; a governor connected with said lever for oscillating the
same means connected with each of said valve stems and exerting a normal
tendency to carry said teeth away from said pivoted dogs; a valve gear having a
link provided with a contracted portion adapted to engage said studs and widened
portions incapable of engagement with said studs, substantially as set forth.
22. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor; a movable abutment; an inlet valve and an exhaust port on each
side of said abutment; a movable stud having operative connection with each of
said inlet valves; a link embracing both of said studs and having a widened portion
for the freedom of each of said studs and a contracted portion for engaging with
either of said studs alternately; a yoke secured to said link; a support for said link
connected to said yoke and having operative connection with the reversing lever
of the engine, and means connected with said yoke and with a moving part of the
engine for vibrating said link, substantially as set forth.
23. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a shell having
an annular steam space for said piston head and being provided with a continuous
surrounding steam jacket, one side of said shell being provided with a section
removable independently of the balance of said side of the shell and also having
formed therein a steam jacket, and the said section and main portion of the shell
having registering cross-over passages whereby said section will constitute a part
of the said continuous steam jacket; and means for admitting steam to and
exhausting it from said steam space, substantially as set forth.
24. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; an abutment movable
independently of said piston; a bodily movable catch having operative connec-
tion with said abutment; a reciprocating pull-rod having operative connection
with said piston and being provided with a hook for pulling said catch in one
direction and withdrawing said abutment; means for automatically disconnect-
ing said hook and catch; means for returning said catch and abutment in the
opposite direction, and means for controlling the supply and exhaust to and from
said steam space, substantially as set forth.
25. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head: a steam
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; an abutment movable
independently of said piston; a bodily movable independently rotatable catch
having operative connection with said abutment; a reciprocating pull rod having
operative connection with said piston and provided with a hook for pulling said
catch in one direction and thereby withdrawing said abutment: a lug or trip
arranged in operative relation to said pull rod and adapted to disengage said hook
and catch means for returning said abutment and catch to their normal positions.
and means for supplying and exhausting steam to and from said steam space, sub-
stantially as set forth.
26. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; means for controlling the
admission and exhaust of steam to and from said steam space; an abutment
movable independently of said piston; a bodily oscillatory independently

page_text: rotatable catch having operative connection with said abutment; a reciprocating
pull rod having operative connection with said piston and provided with a hook
for pulling said catch in one direction and thereby withdrawing said abutment;
a lug or trip revolving bodily with said catch for engaging a portion thereof and
crowding said hook and catch out oil engagement, and means for returning said
catch and abutment to their normal positions, substantially as set forth.
27. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steami
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; means for controlling the
admission of steam to and exhausting it from said space; an abutment movable
independently of said piston; a bodily movable catch having operative connec-
tion with said abutment; a reciprocating pull rod having operative connection
with said piston and provided with a hook for pulling said catch in one direction
and thereby withdrawing said abutment; means for automatically disconnecting
said hook and catch; a lock for holding said abutment against premature with-
drawal and being arranged in the line of movement of and adapted to be dis-
engaged by said rod, and means for returning said catch and abutment to their
normal positions, substantially as set forth.
28. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; means for controlling the
admission of steam to and exhausting it from said steam space; an abutment
movable independently of said piston; a bodily movable catch having operative
connection with said abutment; a reciprocating pull-rod having operative con-
nection with said niston, and being provided with a hook for pulling said catch
in one direction and thereby withdrawing said abutment; a second rod support-
ing said first rod and having one end movable with said catch; means for auto-
matically disconnecting said hook and catch, and means for returning said catch
and abutment to their normal positions, substantially as set forth.
29. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor provided with inlet and exhaust ports; means for controlling the
admission of steam to and exhausting it from said space; an abutment movable
independently of said piston; a movable catch having operative connection with
said abutment; a reciprocating pull rod having operative connection with said
piston, and provided with a hook for pulling said catch in one direction and
thereby withdrawing said abutment; a second rod having a telescopic connection
with said first rod and the two co-operating to support each other at their meeting
ends; means for automatically disconnecting said hook and catch, and means for
returning said catch and abutment to their normal positions, substantially as
set forth..
30. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary
portion; a pivoted catch carried by said rotary portion; a reciprocating pull
rod adapted to engage said catch and pull it in one direction for withdrawing
said abutment; means for holding caid catch against independent rotation after
it is engaged by said pull rod, and means for returning said catch and abutment
to their normal positions when the catch is released from the pull-rod, substan
tially as set forth.
31 A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary por-
tion having a shoulder and being operatively connected with said abutment;
a dog adapted to fall into engagement with said shoulder; a pivoted catch car
ried by said rotary portion and having a projecting end; a reciprocating pull rod
adapted to engage said catch and release said dog; a trip or lug revolving with
said catch and adapted to engage said projecting end and prevent independent
rotation of said catch, and means for returning the abutment and catch when the
latter is released, substantially as set forth.
32. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary
portion having operative connection therewith; a pivoted catch carried by said
rotary portion; a sleeve having one end supported by said rotary portion: a
pull rod reciprocating in said sleeve and having means of engagement with said

page_text: catch; means for crowding said rod out of engagement with said catch, and means
for returning said abutment when the catch is released from said rod, subsian-
tially as set forth,
33. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary
portion having operative connection there with a sleeve having one end sup-
ported by but movable transversely independently of said rotary portion; a
pivoted catch carried by said rotary portion; a pull rod reciprocating in said
sleeve and having means of engagement with said catch; means for crowding said
rod out of engagement with said catch, and means for returning the abutment
and catch when the latter is released, substantially as set forth,
34, A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary por-
tion having operative connection therewith; a sleeve having one end provided
with a transverse slot; a pivoted catch carried by said rotary portion, and the
pivot of which catch passes through said slot and supports said sleeve upon said
rotary portion; a pull rod reciprocating in said sleeve and having means of engage-
ment with said catch; means for crowding said rod out of engagement with said
catch, and means for returning said abutment and catch when the latter is
released, substantially as set forth.
35. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary por-
tion operatively connected with said abutment and having a plain edge termi-
nating in a shoulder; a dog arranged to engage said shoulder and having a
projecting lip; a catch engaged under said projecting lip and carried by said
rotary portion; a reciprocating pull rod arranged to project between said catch
and lip for simultaneously releasing said dog and engaging said catch and means
for returning said abutment and catch when the latter is released, substantially
as set forth.
36. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary
portion operatively connected with said abutment and having two shoulders and
a plain edge extending between said shoulders; a pivoted dog arranged to engage
one of said shoulders; a stop arranged to be struck by the other of said shoulders;
a catch carried by said rotary portion; a reciprocating pull rod arranged to he
projected between said catch and pivoted dog for simultaneously releasing said
dog and engaging said catch; and means for returning said abutment and catch
when the latter is released, substantially as set forth.
37. A rotary engine having in combination a movable abutment; a rotary
disk operatively connected with said abutment and having a plain edge termi-
nating in two shoulders: a pivoted dog arranged to gravitate into engagement
with one of said shoulders; a fixed stop arranged to be struck by the other of said
shoulders; a catch pivoted to the side of said disk and having a projection; a
trip or lug secured to the side of said disk and adapted to engage under the pro-
jection on said catch; a sleeve having a bifurcated end supported over said catch
and said pivoted dog being provided with a lip depending into said bifurcation;
a reciprocating pull rod having a hook adapted to be projected through said
sleeve between said catch and depending lip and to engage with said catch; and a
dash pot connected with said disk and exerting a normal tendency to rotate it
in the opposite direction to the pull of said rod, substantially as set forth.
38. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor a movable abutment; inlet and exhaust valves on each side of said abut-
ment; a valve gear having means of operative connection with said inlet valves
alternately as the engine is reversed; a link mechanism operated by said piston;
a pull rod reciprocally connected with said link mechanism; means for opera-
tively connecting said rod with said abutment for withdrawing the latter; means
for releasing said abutment from its connection with said rod; and a reversing
device operatively connected with said link and valve mechanism, substantially
as set forth.
39. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor a movable abutment; inlet and exhaust valves on each side of said

page_text: abutment; a valve gear having means of operative connection with the inlet
valves alternately as the engine is reversed; a link mechanism operated by the
piston; a lever having a stud engaging in the link of said link mechanism; a pull
rod connected to one end of said lever; means for operatively connecting said pull
rod with said abutment for withdrawing the latter; means for releasing said abut-
ment from its connection with said pull rod and a reversing device operatively
connected with said link mechanism and valve gear, substantially as set forth.
40. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston; a steam space
therefor, having two sets of exhaust and inlet valves; a movable abutment
arranged between said sets of valves; a valve gear having means of operative
engagement with said inlet valves alternately as the engine is reversed; a pair of
eccentrics operated by the piston; a link connected with said eccentrics; a pull
rod operatively connected with said link; means for operatively connecting said
rod with said abutment for withdrawing the latter; and a reversing device opera-
tively connected with said link and valve gear; said eccentrics being so set with
relation to said abutment withdrawing means that the rod will begin the rapid
part of its return stroke as soon as it engages with said abutinent withdrawing
means, substantially as set forth.
41. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble abutment; a catch
having operative connection with said abutment; a reciprocating pull rod having
means of engagement with said catch; means for releasing said catch from said
rod; the extremity of the advancing stroke of the rod being limited to the normal
position of the catch whereby the rod will engage the catch substantially at the
commencement of its return stroke; and means for returning said catch and abut-
ment to their normal positions, substantially as set forth.
42. A rotary engine having in combination a removable abutment; a crank
arm having a ball wrist secured thereto for oscillating said abutment; a rotary
portion arranged in a plane at an angle to the plane of said abutment and having
a ball wrist; a pitman connecting said ball wrists; and means for intermittently
imparting partial rotation to said rotary portion alternately in opposite directions,
substantially as set forth.
43. A rotary engine having in combination a revoluble piston head; a steam
space therefor having an inlet valve and an exhaust port; an abutment inter-
posed between said valve and port and being movable independently of said
piston head; means for periodically opening said valve; means acting indepen-
dently of said piston and exerting a continual tendency to move said abutment
in one direction; and means having positive operative connection with the piston,
having a reciprocating portion; means operatively connected with the abutment
and adapted to be engaged by the reciprocating portion, and also being located
at the beginning of the stroke of such reciprocating portion, substantially as set
forth.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.