Improvements in Rotary Fluid Pressure Engines, applicable also as Pumps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 7th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Fluid Pressure Engines, applicable also as
Pumps.
We, EDWARD TOWLSON of St. Michael's Coslany in the City and County of
Norwich, Engineer and THE ROTARY ENGINE SYNDICATE, LIMITED, of the same
address, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of reversible rotary
fluid pressure engine applicable also as a pump.
Within a suitable cylinder there is mounted on a shaft a piston adapted to travel
around hollow inwardly projecting bosses, in an annular space between the said
bosses and the walls of the cylinder as in the construction of engine forming the
subject of our former application for Patent No. 12,523 of 1891. There is an
oscillating abutment, having the form of a portion of a hollow cylinder, with lips or
projections, this being mounted to oscillate in an appropriately formed seat. This
abutment opens into the annular space before mentioned and its lips are adapted to
enter, as it oscillates, recesses in connection with the steam inlet ports; in the
abutment there is an opening that communicates with the exhaust at all times.
The inlet ports are controlled by suitable oscillating or rocking valves worked by
eccentrics, steam being admitted to the chamber of one or other of these valves
according to the direction in which the engine is to run by a hand operated valve
preferably of the oscillating type. This latter valve acts as the reversing start and
stop valve and between its chamber and those of the other valves there are
passages in the wall of the cylinder which is thus to a certain extent steam
jacketted.
The steam entering the cylinder past one or other of the inlet valves acts on the
corresponding edge of the abutment and forces it inward.
The piston is provided on each side with an incline and is carried by a disc or
collar mounted on the engine shaft. Around the hollow bosses are cylindrical
packing rings or sleeves which are flanged at their ends, the inner flanges bearing
against the disc carrying the piston. Each outer flange is let in flush with the side
wall of the cylinder and is itself formed with a flange at its outer edge, this flange
taking into a corresponding recess in the cylinder wall. The packing rings or
sleeves are provided with set screws or other suitable means for tightening them up
against the disc and piston side. At each side of the disc is a chamber formed by
the walls of the cylinder, this chamber being practically steam tight as in a previous
arrangement above referred to.
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2 TA 1
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Fluid Pressure Engines, applicable also as
Pumps,
We, EDWARD TOWLSON of St. Michael's Coslany in the City and County of
Norwich, Engineer, and THE ROTARY ENGINE SYNDICATE LIMITED, of the same
address, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to an improved construction of reversible rotary
fluid pressure engine applicable also as a pump.

page_text: In order that the nature of the said invention may be fully understood and readily
carried into effect we will proceed to describe the same with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which
Figs. 1 and 2 are vertical 'sections taken in planes at right angles to each other,
of an engine constructed according thereto.
1 is a cylinder within which there is mounted on a shaft 2, a piston 3 adapted to
travel around hollow inwardly projecting bosses 4 in an annular space 5 between
the said bosses and the walls of the cylinder, as in the construction of engine forming
the subject of our former application for Patent No. 12,523 of 1891.
6 is an
oscillating abutment having the form of a portion of a hollow cylinder with lips or
projections 7. It is mounted to oscillate in an appropriately formed seat 8, and is
provided with trunnions 9 carried by bearings 10. This abutment opens into the
annular space 5, and its lips or projections 7 are adapted to enter, as it oscillates,
recesses 11 in connection with the steam inlet ports 12. In the abutment there is
an opening 13 that communicates with the exhaust 14 at all times. Each inlet
port 12 is controlled by a suitable oscillating or rocking valve 15 worked by an
eccentric 16, steam being admitted to the chamber 17 of one or other of these
valves, according to the direction in which the engine is to run, by a hand operated
valve 18 preferably of the oscillating type as shown. This latter valve acts as a
starting, reversing, or stop valve, as may be from time to time required, and between
its chamber 19 and those 17 of the other valves, there are passages 20 in the wall
of the cylinder which is thus to a certain extent steam jacketted.
The piston is made inclined on each side as shown, and is carried by a disc or
collar 21 fixed on the engine shaft 2. Around each hollow boss 4 may advan-
tageously be arranged as shown at the right hand side of the centre line in Fig. 2,
a cylindrical packing ring or sleeve 22, which is flanged at its ends. The inner
flange 22 bears against the disc or collar 21; the outer flange 22° is let in flush
with the corresponding side wall of the cylinder, and is formed with a lateral
flange 22° at its outer edge, this latter flange taking into a corresponding recess 23
in the cylinder wall. The packing rings or sleeves are provided with suitable
means such as set screws 24* for tightening them up against the disc 21 and against
the sides of the piston. At each side of the disc 21 is a chamber 24 formed by and
between the disc and the corresponding box 4 as shown, each chamber being
practically steam tight.
The steam on entering the cylinder past one or other of the inlet valves 15, acts
on the corresponding lip or projection 7 of the abutment 6 and forces it inward into
close contact first with the piston, and then with the hollow bosses 4, cr the packing
rings or sleeves 22 thereon when these are used.
With the valve 18 in the position shown, then on turning the driving shaft 2
through a small angle, the valve 15 will be opened to admit steam to the cylinder
and cause the piston to rotate in the direction of the arrow a; if the position of the
valve 18 be reversed so as to admit steam to the left hand passage 20, and the left
hand valve 15 be opened, the piston will rotate in the opposite direction.
Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified construction. In this
case the reversing valve is dispensed with and only one steam chamber 17 with
rotary distributing valve 15, is employed and a hinged or pivoted abutment 6 is
used in lieu of the cylindrical one shown in the former arrangement. The abut-
ment is slotted at 6ª for the passage of steam which enters the chamber 17 through
the concentrically arranged passage 20 and escapes through the exhaust passage 14,
the lips or projection 7 of the abutment being kept up to its work, as before by the
action of the steam.
If the shaft 2 be driven, an engine constructed with a piston 3 as described, can
by suitable modifications, be used as a pump, fluid entering the annular space 5 from
one of the chambers 17 and being driven therefrom through the exhaust opening by
the piston 3. Suitable suction and delivery valves are then substituted for the
oscillating steam valves or valve shown, and the abutment is so constructed that the
pressure against which the pump is acting, presses it down on the piston and hollow

page_text: bosses alternately so as to make a tight joint therewith. The abutment can be so
constructed that any proportion of the pressure thereon may be made available for
keeping it tight on the bosses and piston..
Fig. 3 is a vertical section illustrating a suitable construction for use as a pump.
12 is the suction passage and 14 the delivery passage, these passages being provided
respectively with suitable suction and delivery valves 12" and 14" respectively as
well understood. 3 is the piston carried by the collar or disc 21 on the shaft 2 as
in Figs. 1 and 2. 6 is the abutment; it is arranged to rock in a chamber 6" and is
made of the peculiar form shown, in order that its upper or outer side, which is
subject to the pressure of the water delivered by the piston, shall be greater in area
than its underside, so that such abutment will be constantly kept up to its work.
25 is a packing piece for the abutment 6.
Fig. 4 is a cross section illustrating a modified construction for use as a pump.
In this case the abutment consists of a slotted plate 6* with side cheeks 6b carrying
a circular rim portion 6°. The edge 6* of the rim portion 6" is held alternately
against the bosses or the sleeves thereon and the piston 3, by a spring 26 one end of
which is connected by a joint piece 27 to an arm 27" fixed upon the spindle 28 to
which the abutment is also fixed. The other end of the spring is secured by another
joint piece to a hand lever 27b adapted to be fixed in the position shown, by a
nut 27. By raising the hand lever against the pressure of the nut, or by releasing
the nut, the tension can be taken off the spring and the abutment allowed to assume
its backward position in which case the pump will immediately cease to deliver.
As will be obvious however the hand lever could be dispensed with and the lower
end of the spring connected to a fixed pin if desired. 12 is the inlet passage
provided with a suction flap valve 12, and 14 is the delivery passage provided with
a delivery flap valve 14ª each of these valves being faced with material such as
leather or india rubber to enable them to work quietly. 29 is a branch to which an
air vessel can be secured.
It will be seen that the abutment in this case is so arranged that the liquid
entering the pump cylinder by suction passes through it.
Fig. 5 illustrates a construction of pump somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 4
but in which the abutment is so arranged that the liquid delivered from the pump
cyclinder by the piston passes through it.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the improved reversible
rotary fluid pressure engine, constructed arranged and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to and shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings
annexed, or modified according to Fig. 2ª.
2. The modified construction hereinbefore described with reference respectively
to and shewn in Fig. 3; in Fig. 4; and in Fig. 5 of the drawings annexed and
applicable for use as pumps as set forth.
Date : 71 J
ha 1000
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.