to Apparatus for Pumping.
Year: 1885

page_text: to Apparatus for Pumping.
I ARTHUR RIGG of 42 Old Broad Street in the City of London Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
ENGINES WORKED BY ELASTIC OR NON-ELASTIC FLUIDS OR BY THE EXPLOSION
OF MIXED GASES APPLICABLE ALSO TO APPARATUS FOR PUMPING to be as
follows:-
"
In the construction of Engines or Prime Movers having a cylinder or cylinders
and Reciprocating pistons, it has hitherto been the universal practise to arrange
that each piston shall reciprocate, not only in relation to its own cylinder, but also
in relation to the earth, that is to say its movements backwards and forwards are
absolute and not simply relative.
To start such a reciprocating piston from a state of rest into a state of motion
requires the expenditure of pressure to overcome its inertia of rest and of resistance
to overcome its inertia of motion-These two considerations impose a limit to the
speed at which reciprocating engines, as hitherto constructed, can be driven with a
due regard to endurance or safety.
In carrying out my Invention cylinders with pistons or rams are employed, of
much the same general construction as the corresponding parts of ordinary Engines
driven by Elastic or inelastic fluids; but they are so arranged that all reciprocations
whether of piston or cylinder shall be relative each to the other, and not absolute
in the relation of either of them towards the earth or the foundation upon which
any Engine or prime mover constructed according to my Invention may be fixed.
Thus during every revolution each piston and cylinder will be subject to recipro-
cations which serves as true movements, forward while pressure is being imparted
and backward while exhaust is taking place but if these movements be regarded
as from their relations to any fixed point on the earth they will appear as simple
revolutions only, and not resembling the reciprocations of ordinary Engines.
Therefore any prime mover constructed according to my Invention; though in
reality a reciprocating Engine with one or more cylinders either single or double

page_text: acting may be said to possess no reciprocating parts using that term in its absolute
sense as hitherto accepted and understood among Engineers.
I will now proceed to describe the general arrangements of a prime mover
constructed in accordance with my Invention giving its application with a main
shaft running in bearings and having a wheel overhung outside one bearing much
in the manner of a face plate on an ordinary lathe.
In front of this face plate or wheel and parallel to the main shaft but not in the
same centre line, there is a stud firmly held as it were in the position of a facing
tool on a slide rest, and upon this stud the cylinder or cylinders all revolve-These
cylinders (for I prefer to use more than one & to make them single acting) may
be cast all together or may be made separate-Assuming them separate they are all
alike in general appearance having at their closed or "lower" ends a cylindrical
projection, which serves as a bearing and also to contain the cylinder ports-These
ports I prefer to have on the side flanges rather than on any part of the cylindrical
bearing surface upon which the cylinders rest while revolving.
Any convenient construction of piston may be applied to these cylinders and the
piston rods or connecting rods project outwardly as radii from their common
centre & are all connected with a series of studs projecting from the surface of the
face plate or over hanging wheel already described as resembling the portion of a
lathe face plate.
Through one side cheek or both side cheeks of the stud or bearing upon which
the cylinders revolve (in preference to its cylindrical surface) there are provided
elongated slots or openings of such angular length as may suffice to permit the
passage of any desired amount of fluid under pressure and to allow of any required
exhaust-These side cheeks and passage openings constitute a circular valve which
does not turn round, but serves for all the cylinders consecutively as the part of
cach one of them comes opposite the inlet or exhaust of the stationary valve during
the course of its revolution It only remains necessary to arrange the inlet and
outlet ports to correspond in a proper manner with the cylinder ports for securing
a right distribution of pressure and exhaust in order that revolutions of the
cylinders and wheel may take place, and power be obtainable from an Engine
or prime mover constructed thus in accordance with my Invention whenever
pressure is turned on.
Whatever may be the excentricity or distance measured between the centres of
main shaft and that of the stud around which all the cylinders revolve it will be
found exactly one half of whatever stroke the pistons may have in relation to the
cylinders just as in an ordinary reciprocating Engine the piston stroke usually
equals twice the radius of its crank-In Engines constructed according to my
Invention any change in excentricity or distance between the centres of main
shaft, and cylinders causes an alteration in the stroke of all the pistons in relation
to all the cylinders of any one motor and I take advantage of this circumstance for
regulating such prime movers as are intended to be driven by inelastic fluids for
determining the amount of fluid pressure expended during each revolution―This
control may be exercised by hand or by a governor so as to secure a uniform or
nearly uniform speed of rotation and proper relationships between speed power and
expenditure of pressure.
For regulating or governing the speed and power of Engines constructed
according to my Invention and intended to be driven by such elastic fluids as
steam, the rate of expansion may be regulated and controlled by any suitable
form of Governor, one mode of carrying out this operation may be conveniently
accomplished in the following manner.
It has been already mentioned that in one or both of the side cheeks of the stud
upon and around which all the cylinders revolve, there are elongated slots, and
these are generally two in number; one for inlet, and one for Exhaust. To give a
constant lead, the forward end of the Inlet post remains at a fixed position, but
any alteration in the hinder end causes Steam to be cut off sooner or later, and

page_text: varies the the rate of expansion. It is only necessary to provide simple mechanical
means for placing whatever range of variation may be desired, under the control of
a suitable governor in order to constitute the motor an automatically regulated.
Engine, having variable Expansion. For expansive working Engines, it may be
arranged that each individual cylinder shall receive a direct supply of Fluid under
pressure which shall eventually be discharged into the Exhaust, or; if preferred,
expansions may be caused to take place from one cylinder into another, so as to
correspond with compounding. or any other systems of expansion that are already
applied or that might be applicable to ordinary fixed reciprocating Engines.
The reversing of any prime Movers made according to my Invention may be
accomplished by the simple process of charging about their Inlet and Exhaust, but
the same effects will arise from reversing their excentricity. This method I prefer
to use for such Engines as are to be driven by inelastic Fluids such as water As
the excentricity or distance between the centres of main shaft and cylinders
respectively becomes shortened, so the power diminishes, until at last, the two
centres coincide and no reciprocations of Pistons and Cylinders relatively to each
other occur during a revolution, and no power is given out at this neutral point.
By carrying on the reversal of excentricity beyond this point, reciprocations will
commence, but the Engine will run in a reversed direction, with gradually increasing
energy as the centres are caused to recede from each other. Thus during the total
travel, power will be found to vary from a maximum, down to Zero; and then
from Zero, to a maximum; in a reversed direction. In hydraulic Engines or those
driven by Inelastic Fluids; this property of prime Movers constructed according to
my Invention serves conveniently for regulating at will the power or rate of
movement and for varying the amount of pressure expended. For Engines used as
cranes, or for hoisting purposes the reduction of driving power may be carried so
far that it may serve as a resistance subject to regulation at will and thus constitute
an efficient brake, pumping back at full pressure into the main whatever quantity
may be determined by the attendant.
When regulating the stroke, as described; by the use of a Governor I prefer to
employ the Relay principle, by which the operation of a power such as water
pressure is directly under the control of a Governor and in hydraulic Engines the
pressure employed to drive them serves as a convenient power for regulating their
stroke as may be determined by the Governor.
Great variations may be made in the location of inlet and exhaust ports, in the
side cheeks of the cylinder Stud-Sometimes inlet and outlet may both be placed
through one cheek, while the opposite one may serve, if desired, for balancing
Other-
pressures, and allowing the cylinders to work in equilibrium or nearly so.
wise ports may be applied in both cheeks, or ports may be arranged as concentric
rings and where separate cylinders are employed I may place supplementary valve
faces between them whenever desirable.
It is not essential to employ only such constructions of valves as I have described
for many other forms of valves are suitable for Engines constructed according to
my Invention.
For the prevention or reduction of leakages between valve faces and exterior,
I provide packing rings similar in construction to such packing rings as are for
Steam Engine Pistons, and these rings are placed in suitable grooves.
If a motor constructed according to my Invention be driven round by power it
becomes converted into a pump, or where there are more than one cylinder some
may give out power, while others serve as pumps, and this peculiarity may, if
desired, perform a useful function in those Engines which are intended to be driven
by explosions of mixed Gases, some cylinders can be used for compressing the gases,
while others give out power by explosions of such gases governing such Gas
Engines can be accomplised by regulating the numbers of explosions in given
periods in the manner applicable to ordinary Gas Engines, as already well under-
stood by Engineers conversant with such descriptions of Motors.

page_text: Where condensible Elastic Fluids like the vapour of water are used for obtaining
Motive power, air pumps and condensers can be applied to Engines constructed
according to my Invention just as air pumps and condensers are applicable to
ordinary Steam Engines, or I construct air pumps of a similar type to the
cylinders.
to Apparatus for Pumping.
I, ARTHUR RIGG of 42 Old Broad Street in the City of London 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:-
:-
In order to explain the nature of my Invention and in what manner the same
may be carried into effect reference may be had to the descriptions following and
to sheets of drawings hereto annexed.
These drawings illustrate constructions of Engines intended to be driven by
inelastic fluids as water, together with a method for regulating the quantity of such
fluid used so that it may be duly apportioned to work done. They also illustrate
engines which can be driven by elastic fluids such as steam with arrangements
which I employ for varying expansion by hand or governor They further illustrate
means for reversing either class of engine-Also various constructions and details
common or applicable to Engines constructed according to my Invention whether
used for Elastic or Inelastic Fluids.
Both classes of Engines are represented as having three cylinders but it must be
understood that I may use one or more cylinders according to my Invention―These
cylinders are all hereinafter described and illustrated as being single acting though
they may be made double acting when desired as will be readily understood
Double acting cylinders in ordinary engines are usually constructed so that pressure
shall operate alternately on either side of one piston but for Engines constructed
according to my Invention I prefer to cast two single acting cylinders together and
opposite each other, connecting their pistons together by side rods or otherwise so

page_text: that in effect such two cylinders act as if they constituted one only but made double
acting according to usual constructions or else the cylinders may be made in pairs
laid parallel and connected together and such an arrangement is useful where
compactness is desired.
Figure 1 is a side view and Figure 2 a section taken longitudinally through two
of the cylinders of an Engine constructed according to my invention-The
circle A B D may be regarded as the rim of a wheel-This wheel is overhung
upon its bearings and is free to turn upon and around a centre marked O. Pro-
jecting from its circumference there are studs b as many in number as there may
be single or double acting cylinders constituting one Engine-These are equidistant
(when three cylinders are used) at angles of 120° apart. I have illustrated in the
Drawing an arrangement wherein three cylinders are used they being marked I. II
and III but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this number. On
another centre which may be at a fixed or changeable distance from O around which
the above mentioned wheel revolves there is a stud C. mounted on any suitable
standard or support as at C³. This stud C serves as a centre around which each
and every cylinder revolves.
The piston of the cylinder I is represented at the bottom of its stroke and ready
to receive pressure. The piston of the cylinder II is represented as having moved
out and when the cylinders have reached the point K the pistons will have reached
the extreme limit or end of a stroke, and exhaust should have begun. Thus during
half of a revolution (from A to K) the pistons move out while in half a revolution
(from K to A) the pistons move in. It will be understood that the piston of each
cylinder in revolution passes through corresponding phases, all the said pistons
successively travelling radially outward or inward, distances each equal to twice
the distance apart of the centres O and C and these movements or reciprocations
are not absolute in relation to the earth but only relative in regard to cylinders and
pistons respectively.
To each cylinder there is a port marked p¹ p² and p³ corresponding to cylinders I
II: III. In the drawings these ports are shewn as being made through the central
bosses P¹ På P³ with which each cylinder is furnished and by means of which it is
mounted to turn upon the pin C.
P¹ is the boss of the cylinder I. P* is the boss of the cylinder II and P³ is the
boss of the cylinder III. The inlet and exhaust passages are shewn at V and E,
illustrated as being made through an adjustable piece Cs on the standard or
support C² for the pin C; the passages from the cylinders made through the afore-
said bosses and communicating with these passages V and E, bending to a right
angle as shewn in Figure 2, and forming channels from inside the cylinders to the
passages V and E which open on a faced side of the piece C³ against which the
boss P¹ bears, the openings of the said passages at the face having a radius
corresponding to that of the slots in the cylinder bosses as seen in Figure 3, 4, 5
and 6 which respectively shew the face x and the passages or ports through the
bosses of each cylinder, the said passages or ports being marked p¹ p² and p³. The
passages marked q are those made through the bosses of the cylinders I and II to
allow inlet to and exhaust from the cylinder or cylinders behind them to pass through
the said bosses-The valve slot V serves as inlet the other E for exhaust to and
from each cylinder as the port in its boss revolves and comes opposite to one or
other of the valve ports V and E. The slots or passages 9 9 through the boss of
the cylinder I are superposed over the ports pa and p³ of the cylinders II and III
when these are in their proper working position, and the slot or passage q in the
boss of the Cylinder II similarly is superposed over the port p³ of the Cylinder II
so that an open passage is always provided for the supply and exhaust of cylinder II
through the boss of the cylinders I and also for cylinder III through the bosses of
the cylinders I and II, and it is obvious, however many cylinders may be employed
in one Engine, similar provision can be applied.
The faces of the bosses of the cylinders may closely adjoin and bear against
each other, but this causes a little irregularity in the supply and exhaust when the

page_text: Cylinder I rules admission and exit to the others, and in order that every cylinder
shall be treated as if its front face were directly bearing against the face x of the
main valve, I prefer to provide washers p between the bosses as shewn the slots
or passages through which exactly correspond with the inlet and exhaust ports V
and E of the main valve face x The function which these washers fulfil is that of
secondary or tertiary supplemental valve faces and they secure the same distribution
of inlet and exhaust to that cylinder or those cylinders away from the main valve
face as to that which works in juxtaposition with it.
These washers or supplementary valve faces are shewn separately in figures 7
and 8-They are mounted on the stud C so that they can move freely there along
but are keyed so as not to turn round and to disarrange the proper positions of
their slots in relation to valve openings Thus they can be adjusted for wear by an
external screw S figure 2 which forms a termination to the main stud C the nut on
the said screw drawing the boss c* on the stud C towards the standard C³.
For Inelastic fluids such as water which do not work expansively-Inlet should
in strict theory continue throughout the entire impelling stroke and outlet should
continue through the entire return of a piston therefore the angular length of inlet
or outlet valve port added to the cylinder port should be 180 degrees or thereabouts
so that half a revolution is devoted to inlet and half a revolution to exhaust-
These proportions however are unsuitable to engines made according to my
Invention if intended to be driven by elastic fluids such as steam.
Having arranged the valve inlet V and exhaust E so that inlet shall occur as the
pistons are moving outwardly and that exhaust should occur as the pistons move
inwardly it only remains necessary to turn on pressure that the cylinders I II
and III shall revolve together with the main wheel A. B. D and that power shall
be given out.
Packing rings p³ are shewn in position in figure 2 and separately in figures 9
and 10 These are intended to guard against or reduce leakage past the cylinders
or valve faces; they may be made of any desired section or suitable material and
may be alike or different in diameters-If different they affect the conditions of
equilibrium under which the cylinders rotate, they are shewn of equal diameters in
figures 2. 15 and 25 and of unequal diameters in figure 26.
It may sometimes be convenient to provide connecting passages from behind such
packing rings into the exhaust for the purpose of reducing the pressure under
which the said rings work.
The stroke of each and every piston relatively to its cylinder will in any one
engine be the same and the length will be determined by the distance between the
centres O and C measuring twice that distance so when an Engine constructed
according to my Invention is required to have an unvarying stroke then the
centre (C) upon which its cylinders revolve remains at a fixed distance from the
centre (0) upon which its main wheel revolves But whenever the stroke is
intended to be variable means are provided for adjusting the distance between O
and C and thereby for regulating the stroke of the pistons.
Whenever an Inelastic Fluid Engine constructed with revolving cylinders is
required to give a variable power or has to be governed or regulated as to speed or
power, or quantity of fluid consumed, then I take advantage of the ready means for
changing the stroke by variation of the distance between the said centres which
may conveniently be effected as follows. As the centres O and C approach each
other so does the stroke and power of an Engine diminish until when both the
said centres O and C coincide no stroke of the pistons would occur if the Engine
were turned round, no fluid passes through it, and no power could be given out.
If it be arranged that the centre C shall travel beyond the centre O to the opposite
side (namely towards K figure 1) then motion will commence and power will
increase until the centre C approaches and reaches its final limit towards K. but
the direction of motion of the Engine will be reversed and thus power can be had
from such an Engine with any desired variation of speed and power and in either
direction of motion.
J

page_text: In figures 2 and 3 a simple screw motion is shewn by which such charges of
excentricity can be effected by hand the piece C3 in which the stud C is mounted
being capable of being moved along guides on the standard C².
Whenever such force as may be necessary to move the centres O and C apart or
together cannot conveniently be given directly, I employ an apparatus which may
be termed a "Relay" which consists of simple hydraulic mechanism by which all
needful power is provided leaving only the direction of movement to be borne by a
governor or by any regulating influence.
Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrate the piece C³ provided with suitable means for
this purpose. Figure 11 being a plan figure 12 a longitudinal section and figure 13
a face view. An inlet pipe or ram P is opposed by a ram of twice its area, being
the annular space R. Both lie in the line between A K the direction of required
movement, and both are sufficiently long to allow of the necessary extent of
movement of the centre C whether for regulation in one direction of movement or
in both. Thus there is always a tendency that the centre C shall be forced towards
one end of its stroke A by a permanent pressure exercised upon it by the smaller
ram P But whenever pressure is admitted behind the larger ram R then in such
case it follows that the centre C with its slide is forced backwards towards K
again and whenever exhaust is permitted for R the constant pressure in P changes
the position of the centre accordingly by movement towards A. It is easy to
arrange suitable valves for effecting such distribution of pressure as shall cause the
aforesaid movements such for example as a slide valve M as shewn in section in
Figure 12. One port or passage leads to the annular ram R while another admits
pressure from P and a third communicates from R to the exhaust. By moving the
valve towards K pressure enters the larger ram R and the piece C³ carrying the
stud C travels until movement is checked by closing the inlet port, similarly when
the valve M is moved towards A then it opens a communication between R and
the exhaust so that pressure in the smaller ram P moves the piece C³ and stud C
towards A until the same self closing action stops further movement. Any suitable
governor can be employed to move this small side valve M and so regulate speed or
power in any Inelastic Fluid Engine constructed thus according to my Invention,
or else cocks or cone valves may be used if preferred.
When an Engine constructed according to my Invention is driven by extraneous
power in a direction opposite to that of its own proper motion and its usual exhaust
can draw a supply of fluid, then the motor becomes converted into a pump and one
of varying capacity when used with an inelastic fluid whenever the distance
between O and C is capable of regulation as described. These features are of
importance when an engine is used for such purposes as hoisting or hauling or the
like purpose as its power can be varied according to demand and moreover it can
be changed into a pump for lowering paying out or the like. It will thus serve
as a Brake pumping back into the main supply and effecting an economy as well.
As it is only necessary to vary the distance between the centre around which
the cylinders revolve and the centre of the main shaft (C and O respectively) it will
be obvious that whether the cylinder centre be moved (as already described) or
whether the main shaft centre be moved, a corresponding result will be obtained
and corresponding methods to those described for moving the shaft centre. Also
variations in power can be achieved by a change of position of cylinder centre and
shaft centre simultaneously.
In some cases it may be preferred to carry a supply through the central stud C
or to exhaust by a passage through it or both supply and exhaust can be carried
through this stud. In either of these cases the stud may have a conical or
cylindrical form having suitable ports through which inlet and outlet can be
regulated as found convenient as shewn by Figure 16A or in any manner corre-
sponding thereto and indeed many variations can be made in respect of minor
details in all such engines as may be constructed in accordance with my Invention.
Engines constructed according to my Invention and intended to be driven
by elastic fluids are very similar in their general arrangements to those already

page_text: described as applicable for use with inelastic fluids. Their proportions are
necessarily different, and their arrangements for reversing or for regulation by
varying the rates of expansion require different treatment to corresponding
arrangements for inelastic fluid Engines.
Two or more cylinders are made separate or in pairs and all are free to revolve
upon the central stud C as illustrated by Figure 14. Their piston rod ends A, B
and D are in connection with studs upon a wheel similar in arrangement to
Figure 1 and advantage has been taken of Figure 14 to illustrate a modified
arrangement of ports by which inlet and outlet are determined without the use of
washers or supplementary valve faces such as have been herein before described
and illustrated in Figures 2, 7 and 8. This modification consists in a prolongation
of the port from cylinder II so as to pass through a slot in the boss of cylinder I
and bear directly against the valve face x. Similarly there is a prolongation of
the port of cylinder III so that it shall pass through slots in the bosses of
cylinders II and I and bear against the main valve face x. In Figure 16
cylinder II has been separately drawn so as to render this arrangement clear and it
is this system of cylinder ports which I prefer to use for such engines as are
intended to be reversible and vary their rates of expansion in either one or both
directions of motion.
I do not consider it necessary to illustrate an engine unprovided with supple-
mentary valve faces or prolongations of cylinder ports as herein before first described
nor do I consider it necessary to illustrate plans by which inlet or exhaust may be
carried through the central stud C if made hollow, for such arrangements admit of
very great variety and require no special explanation. In some cases I may provide
a relief exhaust in addition to the principal exhaust by a passage through the
stud C and by ports in its flange communicating therewith. This arrangement
also serves a useful purpose regarding the commencement of exit particularly in
such Engines as are unprovided either with supplemental valve faces or with
prolongations of their ports.
Whatever permanent relationships subsist as to the commencement or termi-
nation of exhaust, can be determined by a fixed angular length of its port in
conjunction with that of the cylinder port in question. Similarly any desired
"lead" for the inlet can be permanently fixed by proper location of the leading
end of the port from which a supply is obtained.
The point of cut off, that is where expansion begins, is determined by the
angular location of the hinder end of that port from which a supply is obtained
and so long as the termination of such port remains fixed, so long will the rate of
expansion remain constant just as in an ordinary engine unprovided with a variable
cut off valve. And any change in the angular length of an inlet valve port or of
the Cylinder ports by adding to or taking from the hinder end thereof will cause a
corresponding change in the cut off and in the rate of expansion.
I take advantage of this expedient for the purpose of regulating how much
elastic fluid shall be used in such engines as are made with revolving cylinders
having means for inlet and exhaust arranged substantially as herein described and
intended to be governed by placing their rates of expansion under the control of
any suitable or convenient regulating influence whether operated by hand or by
governor.
It is obvious that regulation of such elastic fluid engines cannot be satisfactorily
accomplished by a variation in stroke after the manner of inelastic Fluid engines,
but either classes may be governed or regulated by a Throttle valve to diminish
whatever effective pressure there may be available for a source of power.
Various mechanical devices are available for carrying out variations in rates of
expansion and suitable devices for the purpose are illustrated by Figures 17, 18,
19, 21 to 24. In all these Figures it is assumed that the Spectator is looking
.towards the engine as from Figure 14 to Figure 15.
One device is shewn by Figures 17, 18 and 19. It consists in dividing the inlet
port as to its angular length into spaces, and these can be successively closed by a

page_text: slide Q Figure 19, or by a valve such as F. Figure 26. When all these spaces are
open it is considered that the whole available supply is admitted but as spaces are
closed successively, so is less and less fluid admitted and the rate of expansion
undergoes corresponding changes-For that short period during which such a
valve as Qis traversing any one space, there will be a certain wiredrawing of little
or no practical importance, but even this can be avoided by providing a circular
slide on the main valve face x. Figure 25, to vary the position or hinder end of
the valve inlet port so that the cylinders in their revolutions shall cut off their own
supply accordingly.
By connecting an expansion valve, such as that indicated by Q Figure 19 or
any other valve arranged to effect a corresponding result, to any suitable governor
an automatic regulation of expansion can be secured and a regular speed main-
tained as already well understood in relation to ordinary Engines. Whether steam
or other elastic fluid be expanded in each cylinder as in simple engines or whether
it be expanded in more than one cylinder as in compound or triple expansion
Engines arrangements can be carried out by which such Engines shall be regulated
by varying their rates of expansion and by placing such changes under the control
of a proper governor and if the supply come through the central stud C then a
corresponding arrangement for varying expansion can be made in its head, while
exhaust occurs through the usual ports as described.
For marine and other purposes it may be desirable to provide an Engine that can
be reversed or that can be reversed and also regulated by having its rates of expansion
variable at will, in either one or both directions of motion. So.far as mere reversal
is concerned a simple removal of the centres of motion of cylinders and wheel respec-
tively will accomplish that object as already described for inelastic fluid engines, but
for elastic fluid engines I prefer to use a valve that changes inlet into outlet or vice-
versa As far as regulating the power of such an Engine is concerned alteration
in distance between centres is too extravagant for general use. But for reversal
and at the same time varying the rates of expansion in either one or both directions
of motion I prefer such a method as shewn by Figures 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Remembering what has been already described where in Figures 18 and 19. the
steam port is divided into several spaces it will be seen that Figure 21 shews a
valve face with a double set of divided ports divided as to their angular length by
radial bars which are carried backwards and at the same time altered in sections
but not in areas until they constitute a binder face as shewn by figure 22. Here
their total angular length has been diminished but there has been a sufficient
increase of radial length to retain a corresponding passage area. Resting against
the hinder face Figure 22 there is a circular disc or regulating valve having ports
as illustrated by Figures 23 and 24 in two different positions. Through one of
these valve ports marked "IN" there is a permanent connection with inlet while
the longer and larger port E communicates with the exhausts. A handle is provided
(as indicated at G) by which this disc valve may be moved to the position shewn
by Figure 23 "Full speed ahead" or to that shewn by Figure 24 "Full speed
astern."
Intermediately between these extreme positions as at N both main valve ports V
and E figure 21 are open to exhaust and neither of them to inlet-For about
45 degrees on either side of N the exhaust is fully opening to one side and closing
to the other but from T to G or L to G figures 23 and 24 the Regulating Disc
open few or many inlet port Divisions and so provides for the determination of the
point where expansion commences for either direction of motion, meanwhile the
exhaust E can remain open and these arrangements can be applied to compound
Engines with certain evident modifications in detail-Or if preferred inlet may
take place through one side flange and exhaust through the other, the central
spindle being hollow with a Regulating Disc as described generally.
Two systems of Engines constructed according to my Invention and driving
opposite ends of the same shaft or acting entirely as separate Engines may work
compound by exhausting from one into the other.-Or compound Engines can be

page_text: constructed according to my Invention as one system of cylinders revolving on the
same stud in the manner illustrated by Figures 25 to 28 In these figures two
separate cylinders are shewn but more can be employed when desired and for such
compound Engines I prefer to employ two high pressure and two low pressure
cylinders.
Figure 25 represents a section of two cylinders of different diameters the
cylinder H receiving high pressure motive fluid and exhausting into the cylinder L
through ports and supplementary valve faces as already explained But now the
supplementary valve face has also become an annular passage Z and an intermediate
receiver as well, guiding and distributing high pressure exhaust into the low
pressure cylinder L. Thus expansion can take place from one cylinder into
another, or from that to a third cylinder, producing similar effects to double or
triple expansions in ordinary Engines. Compound Engines thus constructed can
be governed either by a throttle valve or by variation in their rates of expansion,
as already generally explained and such Engines can have their cylinders cast in
pairs and be worked in effect as double acting cylinders whenever so desired.
Figures 27 and 28 are given for the purpose of clearly explaining such con-
struction as may be employed for intermediate valves faces and receivers between
cylinders, one of which expands its contents into another-These figures shew a
port X acting as an exhaust from the high pressure cylinder H and on the opposite
side an inlet port X' from which the low pressure cylinder L takes its supply.
These Ports are connected together by a circular annular passage shewn in section
by Figure 28 for conveying the fluid to its proper destination and this passage
serves also as an intermediate receiver where such may be required.
Another arrangement is shewn by figures 26 and 29, here inlet and exhaust
occupy portions of concentric circles-the inner one serving as supply to the high
pressure cylinder and the outer one as exhaust from the high pressure cylinder and
as supply to the low pressure cylinder and there is a circular valve with a handle G
outside, which provides means for regulating the rate of expansion at will by
covering one or more ports of the steam openings after the manner already
explained.
Instead of having concentric circles for ports as here illustrated the two opposite
flanges may be utilized one for inlet and the other for exhaust or one supply may
come through ports on the cylindrical or conical surface of the stud C. upon which
the cylinders revolve or other modifications may be carried out as thought fit and
as will readily suggest themselves to Engineers.
Whatever regulating valves may be used they can be contrived so as to admit of
being placed under the control of the hand or of a suitable governor that shall
determine whatever variation in rates of expansion may correspond with the speed
and work which it is desired shall be maintained.
"
In starting compound Engines or others where an early cut off produces "blind
positions such as happen with link motions in ordinary Locomotives I make use of
any supplementary valve arrangement for admitting a starting pressure such as
through the main stud C or any arrangement which can be shut out of action after
Engines provided with it have been sufficiently started.
Indeed as in ordinary Engines there may be a great variety of modification in
the details, so in revolving Engines, constructed according to my Invention there
may be similar modifications adopted without affecting these general arrangements
which I claim as novel so that it must be understood that any details described for
inelastic fluid Engines may apply to elastic fluid Engines and vice-versa. Moreover
although no mention has been made of Condensers yet it must be understood that
any system for condensation may be used with Engines of my Invention that will
condense such elastic fluids as steam in a suitable manner, whether such be driven
by the main Engine or by special air pump Engine of any desired construction.
As these may be of the ordinary kind they need no special description here.
Engines with revolving Cylinders can be constructed according to my Invention
to be driven by explosions of gases and necessary supplies (say of coal gas and

page_text: atmospheric air) can be provided by pumps of any usual construction or else some
one or more of the revolving Cylinders may serve as pumps while others receive
those impulses which set the entire system in motion. The valve arrangements
already described will suffice to explain how inlet and outlet can be arranged and
modified however desired, only it may be generally advisable that inlet of gases
shall occupy a separate portion of the valve or opposite faces of such as are
available to that occupied by those valve faces which, are concerned with deter-
minations of explosions.
Having described general arrangements by which Engines may be constructed
according to my Invention it will be readily seen that when the Cylinders are all
carefully balanced in original construction they will revolve on their centre C with
no appreciable want of balance and hence with no appreciable vibration. Similarly
as the Pistons or Rams are all rigidly connected in respect of length with studs
equidistant on the rim of a balanced wheel they will exert practically no centrifugal
force that is not balanced by one in an equal and opposite direction Consequently
although the Cylinders and Pistons have a true reciprocation in relation each
towards the other neither reciprocates in relation to the earth, and it is in a con-
siderable degree to these peculiarities that I attribute freedom from vibration at
high speed in Engines with revolving Cylinders constructed according to my
Invention.
I wish it to be understood that as before stated I do not confine myself to the
use of any particular number of Cylinders nor do I restrict myself to the exact
and only details of construction which have been described and illustrated nor to
the use of all details or any special detail only to such an Engine with which it
has been described but I hold myself free to make use of any known or convenient
mechanical contrivance or combination that may be useful in conjunction with the
main or essential features of my Invention.
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
First. A single or double acting simple or compound revolving Engine or pump
with separate revolving Cylinders having ports or passages for inlet and exhaust
in bosses mounted to revolve upon a central stud, the rods of the pistons of the
said Cylinders or their equivalent being connected to a wheel or its equivalent
mounted on a centre situated out of the line with the centre upon which the bosses
of the cylinders are mounted substantially as herein before described.
Second. In revolving Engines or pumps in which revolving cylinders are used,
mounting the centre upon which the cylinders revolve and the centre to which the
power is imparted or from which it is derived so that either of the said centres can
be adjusted relatively to the other for reversal of motion or regulation of power or
stroke, or both for reversal and regulation substantially as hereinbefore described.
Third. The combination with revolving engines constructed in accordance with
my Invention or of the class hereinbefore mentioned or described and intended to
be driven by elastic fluids, of means for varying the angular relations of their
valve inlet and cylinder ports each to the other so as to determine what amount of
elastic fluid shall be admitted before being cut off and before commencing to
expand, such variation being arranged to be operated by hand or automatically by
a Governor substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. In revolving Cylinder-engines or pumps, supplementary valve faces used
either for distribution of inlet and exhaust or as intermediate receivers as well as
for distribution of inlet or exhaust substantially as described with reference to
Figures 2, 7 and 8, and Figures 25, 27 and 28 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth. In revolving Cylinder Engines or pumps the prolongation of cylinder
ports, so as to pass through bosses of intervening cylinders and reach up to and
bear against the main valve faces substantially as described with reference to
Figures 15, 16 and 16ª of the accompanying Drawings.

page_text: Sixth. The combination of elastic fluid engines constructed according to my
Invention with hoisting or hauling apparatus or the like for the purposes herein-
before described.
Seventh. The several constructions or arrangements of parts constituting the
Engines or pumps herein before described under the several modifications and
illustrated by the accompanying Drawings.