Improvements in Rotary Engines or Pumps.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines or Pumps.
I, FRIEDRICH BRACKEMANN, of The Maschinenfabrik Augsburg of Augsburg,
in the Kingdom of Bavaria, and Empire of Germany Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to rotary engines which may also be employed as pumps as
is usual in engines of this class.
The pump or engine constructed according to this invention comprises a suitable
casing closely surrounding two differently shaped wheels provided with wings and
mounted within the said casing on two parallel or approximately parallel shafts,
and means more particularly hereinafter referred to, for imparting to one of the
said wheels, from the other wheel, a differential rotary motion, that is to say, a
rotary motion varying in speed during each rotation of the other wheel; this
differential motion in accordance with the different shape or size or the different
number of wings of the one wheel as compared with that of the other, being so
timed as to cause the wings of the one wheel always to coincide with the open spaces
between the wings of the other wheel, and vice versa.
To this end the outwardly extending shaft of one of the said wheels, which I will
here call the driving wheel, whilst the other may be designated as the driven wheel,
is suitably connected with a disc having on its face a cam groove. Connected with
the outwardly extended shaft of the other or driven wheel, or mounted directly
upon the said extended shaft, is another disc provided on its face with a number of
studs so arranged thereon that they will be caused to successively enter the cam
groove of the disc on the driving wheel shaft when the latter is being rotated.
The shape of the said cam groove is so adapted that, as the latter successively
engages the studs of the other disc and thus causes this disc, its shaft and the
driven wheel to rotate with it, the rotary motion thus imparted will be alternately
accelerated and retarded and temporarily interrupted as the studs pass from the one
to the other of the differently shaped portions of the cam groove. To this end the
said cam groove is preferably formed of loop-like portions alternating with more or
less circular portions.
The shafts of the wheels are preferably surrounded within the casing by suitable
collars closely fitting against the inner cylindrical surfaces and the face portions of
the wheels and their wings and each provided on its periphery with a curved recess
conforming in shape to the line of travel of the ends of the wings of the opposite
wheel.
Dated this Oth dox of Fohwa 1893
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines or Pumps.
I, FRIEDRICH BRACKEMANN, of die Maschinenfabrik, Augsburg of Augsburg,
in the Kingdom of Bavaria and Empire of Germany, 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 which are driven by a fluid medium, such
as steam or water, and also capable, as usual in engines of this kind, of being
emplared as numbe

page_text: The engine consists in a casing composed of two segments of cylinders and having
induction and eduction orifices, two shafts mounted in said segments coaxially
therewith, and two wheels keyed on the shafts and carrying wings that rotate in
contact with the inner surfaces of the respective portions of the casing. One of
these wheels, which may be termed the main or power-wheel, is designed to receive
the pressure of the operating medium and to be rotated thereby, while the other
wheel, hereinafter called the auxiliary wheel, constitutes, by means of its vanes a
partition-wall that prevents the passage of the operating medium to the wrong side
of the vanes on the main wheel, while it allows the vanes of the latter to pass
through the spaces between its own vanes.
For this purpose the auxiliary wheel has alternately to be kept stationary and to
be rotated at an angle corresponding to the distance from one of its vanes to the
other. The mechanism whereby this is attained, consists of a cam-disk, keyed on
the shaft of the main wheel, and a disk provided with studs, which co-operates with
the former, the cam-disk being so formed and the studs so distributed that, when a
wing of the main wheel has to pass, the stud-carrying disk is rotated by the cam-
disk, first with increasing and then with decreasing speed, while in the intervals it
is kept locked. Preferably the cam-disk is formed with a groove composed of loops
or bows being opposite to the vanes of the main wheel, and intermediate portions
concentric to its axis of rotation.
In view of attaining the most perfect steam tightness between the working and
the stationary parts, there are fixed in the casing two flanged bushes surrounding the
two shafts, and the wheels are constructed to form disks, from the faces of which
the wings project in opposite directions, so that while the wings of one wheel
extend from right to left, those of the other wheel extend from left to right through
the spaces formed between the casing, the bushes and their flanges. In order to
avoid the end thrust inherent in this arrangement, it is advisable to duplicate the
same by an inverted arrangement of disks and wings having one portion relative in
area to the other. Moreover, to improve the tightness of the joint between the
wings and the opposite bushes, the latter are each provided with a curved recess
corresponding to the path taken by the outer edge of the wings.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a rotary engine comprising my
improvements, the section being taken on line A-B, Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on line E-F, Figure 3 looking to the right.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line C-D, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on line G-H, Figure 2.
Figures 5 and 6 are transverse sections similar to Figure 2, but with the
operating parts in different positions.
Figures 7 and 74 show, respectively, in elevation and end-view, the auxiliary
wheel of the engine represented by Figures 1 to 6.
Figures 8 and 84 are an end view and elevation respectively of the bush belonging
to the said auxiliary wheel.
Figures 9 and 94 show in like views one of the two bushes of the main wheel.
Figures 10 and 10ª represent the main wheel itself.
Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view of an engine in which the two wheels
have wings on one side only.
Figure 12 represents in longitudinal section an engine not provided with bushes.
Figures 124, 12B show the auxiliary wheeel, and,
Figures 12, 12D the main wheel belonging thereto.
In Figures 11 and 12 the cam disk and the stud carrying disk are omitted.
In Figures 1 to 6 s is the casing of the engine composed of two segments of
cylinders, one for the location of the main wheel a a¹, the other for that of the
auxiliary wheel bb, these wheels being keyed on the respective shafts t and u.
The main wheel consists of the boss and disk a (see also Figures 10 and 10A) and
the wings a projecting from both faces of the disk, there being on each face two
wings placed diametrically opposite to each other. The letter designates

page_text: ackings, which may, however, be omitted. On both sides of the main wi
laced the bushes c, one of which is represented separately by Figures 9 and 9A,
hese bushes having flanges adapted to the heads of the casing, the spaces left
etween the bushes and between the casing and the disk a, being the chamber in
which the wings a¹ rotate. The auxiliary wheel is composed of two portions, as
hown clearly in Figure 7 each portion consisting of the disk b applied to the
orresponding. head of the casing, and three wings extending from the disk
nwardly into the casing and up to the disk a of the main wheel. Between the
lisks b is placed the bush d (see also Figures 8 and 84), having a central flange,
equal in width to the disk a and arranged opposite thereto, so that the surfaces of
lisk a are flush with those of the flange of bush d. Besides this, the inner surfaces
of the disk band of the flanges of bushes c are plane with each other, and the edges
of the wings are in contact with the bush d and the corresponding portion of the
casing. The bushes are fixed in the casing by keys c¹ and screw d'. The flanges
of the bushes have curved recesses formed to the shape of the opposite disks a
and b, and these recesses extend into the cylindrical portions of the bushes, as
shown at f, Figures 8 84, and el, Figures 9, 94, in order to provide for the outer
edges of the wings a¹ and b¹ contact surfaces of a certain width.
On one end of shaft, t is keyed the disc h baving the cam-groove g g', and on the
corresponding end of shaft u the disc k is provided, fitted with three studs i,
adapted to engage in the said cam-groove. These studs are preferably provided
with rollers. The cam-groove is formed with two loops or bows g, Figures, 2, 5,
and 6, being opposite to the-wings a¹, and two portions gl concentric with the
shaft t.
The loops g are open at the periphery of the disk. The studs i are
placed opposite to the wings b. To the disk h is attached the driving-pulley h¹.
Supposing now, that the driving medium, say steam, is introduced through
opening e, and that the movable parts are in the position shown by Figure 2, the
space between
wing which is directed at the time towards the bush e keeps the
the bushes c and d closed, thus preventing at this point the passage of steam. The
steam consequently acts on the wing a¹ and rotates the wheel a a¹, while the spent
The wheel bb' is maintained stationary,
steam leaves the casing through orifice m.
by the two outer studs i bearing against the periphery of disk h, which, as it were,
forms a prolongation of one face of the cam-groove. When the parts have arrived
at the position shown by Figure 5, the upper wing a' being then close to the
wing standing horizontally, the upper loop-shaped portion of the cam-groove
pushes the pin i which is engaged in the groove, downward and consequently
rotates wheel bb'. When the said wing b' is about to come out of contact with
bush the upper wing a', which has passed into the spaces between two wings b¹,
enters into contact with bush d, as represented in Figure 6, and closes the space
between the two bushes, until, by the further operation of the cam-groove on the
pins i, it is relieved of this function by the wing & following the same.
In the engine herein described the pressure of the operating medium acts on
each wheel endwise in two opposite directions, so that the axial pressures are
balanced. If this advantage is considered unimportant, as may be the case when
the pressure of the operating medium is low, the simplified construction of engine
shown by Figure 11 may be employed, in which the disks a and b are placed at
opposite ends of the casing and provided each on one face only with wings. In
order, however, to avoid friction between the discs a b and the heads of the casing,
and to allow of proper adjustment, the shafts t and u are fitted with adjustable
thrust-bearings p and q.
Figures 12 to 12 show an engine not having any bushes and in which the closure
of the space between the two wheels is brought about by the contact of the wings
of one wheel with the boss of the other. This engine is only adapted for low-water
pressure.
The described engines may, without any alteration, be used as pumps by being
driven by power applied to the shaft t from the outside.
Compared with other rotative engines of the same kind, my improved engine

page_text: presents the following advantages. The special combination of the main wheel
and the auxiliary wheel together with the means employed for the transmission of
motion from the one to the other whereby an easy and quiet motion and conse-
quently a higher useful effect is obtained. The operative parts are arranged so as
to reduce the leakage of steam or water to the smallest amount possible. By
reason of the balancing of the said parts, the power consumed by friction is less
than in other engines of a similar class. Finally if the engine is driven by water,
or used to pump water, an advantage is obtained on account of the greater
uniformity of speed of the water during its passage through the engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
*claim is :-
First. The combination-of-a-casing consisting of two segments of cylinders and
provided with induction and eduction orifices, two shafts mounted in said segments
coaxially therewith, two wheels, that is to say, a main wheel and an auxiliary
wheel, keyed on said shafts and having wings whose edges rotate in contact with
the inner surfaces of the casing, the wings of the main wheel being adapted to engage
in the spaces between the wings of the auxiliary wheel, a cam-disc on the shaft of the
main wheel, and a disc fixed on the shaft of the auxiliary wheel and having studs
co-operating with the cam-disc, the said cam-disc and studs being so arranged
that, when the wings of the main wheel engage between those of the auxiliary
wheel, the cam-disc will rotate the stud-bearing disc and the auxiliary wheel,
while in the intervals the cam-disc keeps the stud-bearing disk locked, substantially
as described.
Second. The combination of a casing composed of two segments of cylinders
and provided with induction and eduction orifices, two shafts mounted in said
segments coaxially therewith, two wheels, that is to say, the main wheel a a' and
the auxiliary wheel, consisting in discs a, b keyed on the respective shafts and
having wings a b', projecting in opposite directions from their faces, the wings a
being adapted to engage between the wings two flanged bushes cd, fixed in the
casing and having curved recesses, elf, the wings a¹¹ rotating with their outer
edges in contact with the casing and the surfaces of the recesses e¹ while with
their terminal and outer edges they are in contact with the bushes c d, and
means as described whereby when the wings a¹ engage between the wings b', the
wheel bbis rotated through the wheel a a¹ while in the intervals it is locked,
substantially as specified.
Third. The combination of a casing composed of two segments of cylinders and
provided with induction and eduction orifices, two shafts mounted in said segments
coaxially therewith, two wheels, that is to say, the main wheel, a a¹ and the
auxiliary wheel b¹keyed on said shafts and having the respective wings a¹ and b
which rotate in contact with the inner surfaces of the casing, the wings a¹ being
adapted to engage between the wings b¹ the disc h keyed on the shaft of wheel a a
and having a cam-groove, and the disk k keyed on the shaft of wheel b b¹ and having
opposite to the wings & studs i engaging in the said cam-groove, the latter forming,
opposite to the wings a¹ loops g while the portions thereof being between the loops,
are concentric to the shaft of the wheel a a' substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a rotary engine adapted to be employed also as a pump and having
two wheels provided with radial wings and rotably mounted within a common
casing, the wings of the one wheel during the rotation of both being adapted to
coincide with the spaces between the wings of the other wheel, a disc mounted in
driving connection with the shaft of one of the said wheels, and having on. its face
a cam groove composed of loop-shaped portions alternating with partly circular
portions, and a disc mounted in driving connection with the shaft of the other
wheel and having on one of its faces a number of studs adapted during the rotation
of the two discs to successively engage, and to be guided in, the said cam-groove of
the other disc, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: Fifth. In a rotary engine adapted to be employed also as a pump, the com-
bination, with two wheels provided with radial wings as described and rotably
mounted within a common casing, the wings of the one wheel during the rotary
movement of both being adapted to coincide with the spaces between the wings of
the other wheel, of a stationary flanged bush surrounding the axis of one of the
wheels and conforming to the shape of the inner cylindrical and face portions of
the said wheel, the said bush having on its periphery a curved recess conforming
to the outer cylindrical surfaces of the other wheel and its wings coming in contact
therewith; and two other stationary bushes laterally enclosing the last named
wheel and conforming to the inner cylindrical and face portions of the same, each
of the said two bushes having on their peripheries a curved recess conforming to the
outer cylindrical surfaces of the first wheel and its wings coming in contact there-
with, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 9th day of March 1893.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.