IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS- ENGINES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Watson, of Leeds, in the County of York,
Manufacturing Chemist, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS-
ENGINES
11
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Watson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th December 1881.
WILLIAM WATSON of Leeds in the County of York, Manufacturing Chemist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS ENGINES."
My Invention refers to the application and employment of earthenware in the
construction of cylinders, pistons, and piston rings of gas engines instead of iron or
other metal as heretofore.
I employ for this purpose earthenware of a hard and durable nature and of such
solidity and compactness that a fine even and smooth surface may be made on the
periphery of the piston and the inside of the cylinder possessing also the property
of bearing heat without breaking or fracture. For this purpose I prefer employing
that which is commonly used for chemical purposes such as stoneware or pottery
known as "Lambeth" stoneware or pottery or such of a similar nature.
I do not rely solely upon the strength of the earthenware in the construction of
the cylinder or piston but I prefer strengthening the cylinder by enclosing it in a
case of iron or other metal. I also prefer strengthening the piston and piston
rings with iron or other metal.
The advantages of using such material in the construction of cylinders, pistons,
and piston rings in gas engines instead of iron or other metal, are:
First: No corrosion takes place.
Second: I am enabled to employ water as a lubricant instead of oil.
Third: The superior elasticity of earthenware, such elasticity not being affected
by the heat.
Fourth: The earthenware being practically speaking not injuriously affected by
the heat it is unnecessary to adopt the usual means employed in gas engines for
keeping down such heat of the cylinder, but by maintaining the explosive gases at
a higher temperature the force of the explosion is increased.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
tho said William Watson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th June
1882.
WILLIAM WATSON of Leeds in the County of York, Manufacturing Chemist.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS ENGINES."
My Invention refers to the application and employment of earthenware in the
construction of cylinders, pistons, and piston rings of gas engines instead of iron or
other metal as heretofore.
5
I employ for this purpose earthenware of a hard and durable nature and of such
solidity and compactness that a fine even and smooth surface may be made on the 1
periphery of the piston and the inside of the cylinder, possessing also the property
of bearing heat without breaking or fracture. By earthenware I wish it to be
understood that I include any combination of earth materials_possessing_the.above.
.properties.
For this purpose I prefer employing that which is commonly used for chemical 1
purposes such as stoneware or pottery known as Lambeth" stoneware or pottery
or such of a similar nature.
"
I do not rely solely upon the strength of the earthenware in the construction of
the cylinder or piston but I prefer strengthening the cylinder by enclosing it in
case of iron or other metal. I also prefer strengthening the piston and piston rings
with iron or other metal.
The advantages of using such material in the construction of cylinders, pistons,
and piston rings in gas engines instead of iron or other metal are:-
First. No corrosion takes place.
Second. I am enabled to employ water as a lubricant instead of oil.
Third. The superior elasticity of earthenware, such elasticity not being effected
by the heat.
Fourth. The earthenware being practically speaking not injuriously affected by
the heat, it is unnecessary to adopt the usual means employed in gas engines for
keeping down the heat of the cylinder but by maintaining the explosive gases at a
higher temperature the force of the explosion is increased.
And in order that my. Invention may be more completely understood reference
is given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.

page_text: type or trunk type or of a similar construction to an ordinary metal piston as
shewn at Figs. 3 and 4 and provided with any required number of rings g shewn
at Figs. 5 and 6 such rings being divided at h to admit the required amount of
elasticity for expansion. These rings g may in form be similar to ordinary piston
rings, but by preference of larger sectional area. These earthenware or porcelain
rings g may be applied to metal pistons of ordinary construction.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and described with the
aid of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice I would have it
understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details and configuration of the
parts shewn, as the same may be varied and modified without departing from the
nature of my Invention but what I do claim is :-
The arrangement construction and application of earthenware cylinders sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein set-forth.
The arrangement construction and application of earthenware pistons substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein set-forth.
The arrangement construction and application of earthenware piston rings
substantially as and for the purposes herein set-forth.
In witness whereof I the said William Watson have hereunto set my hand
and seal this Thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.