Improvements in Gas and Explosivė Vapour Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Gas and Explosivė Vapour Engines.
JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST. '84 Billiter. Bldgs London E.C. Consulting Engineer
and Naval Architect' do hereby declare the nature of this. invention. to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of Engines chiefly of the
class in which the motive power is derived from the explosion of explosive mixtures
of air and coal gas air and oil vapour or other similar explosive mixtures.
In Engines as generally heretofore constructed the explosive mixture has been fired
in a cylinder fitted with aipiston which reciprocates backwards and forwards in the
cylinder Rotary motion being imparted to a Flywheel by means of a connecting
rod and suitable crank device.
In most of the Engines in which the force of the explosive combination of gases*
has been utilized the engines are of the four phaze type that is to say there is a
forward movement of the piston during the explosion then a backward movement' of
the piston sweeping out the products of combustion a second forward movement
of the piston drawing in a fresh explosive mixture a second backward movement of
the piston compressing the explosive mixture and then. as the piston commences-its
.third outer movement .the explosive: mixture is fired.
My improved construction of engine is particularly applicable for use with explosive
mixtures of gas and air or vapours and air.
My improved Engine is:constructed essentially as follows Within a Drum shaped
cylinder and upon a shaft passing centrally through the sides of the Drum' 'or upon
a sleeve upon such shaft or otherwise so as to be able to rotate or partially rotate
within the Drum I mount:two vanes or paddles fitting closely with suitable packing
or similar devices. to the sides and internal-periphery of. the Drum These 'vanes are
arranged radially and diagonally on opposite sides of the shaft or other-centre of
rotation Upon a sleeve upon the shaft or otherwise suitably centrally mounted -in
the drum I arrange a second pair of vanes similarly arranged on opposite sides of the
centre of rotation.
The shafts or sleeves or other parts.to which the two pairs of vanes are connected
are passed through suitable stuffingeboxes or bearings outside the sides of the Drum
and by cranks or other suitable devices connected with the vanest the movements of
the vanes are transmitted by connecting rods or other suitable devices to a'cránked
countershaft to which rotary movement is to be imparted The cranked shaft and
the connecting rods and cranks or other devices connected with the two pairs of vanes
are so arranged that each ivane passes through substantially a right angle.
It is apparent that the vanes thus arranged and connected constitute four pairs of
Bellows within the cylindrical drum. It is also apparent that this arrangement of
apparatus is extremely suitable for four cycle engines of the "type herein before
referred to.
If for instance the vanes on the shaft which are diagonally opposite to one another
and the vanes on the sleeve which are similarly arranged and rotate about a 'similar
centre of rotation arerbrought with their faces close together it will be obvious that

page_text: the interior of the drum is practically divided into two equal halves by the two pairs
of vanes assuming that between the adjacent faces of two of the vanes which are near
together an explosive mixture of air and gas or air and vapour is exploded in any
well known manner the effect will be to force asunder the two vanes between which
the explosive mixture is placed. At the same time that these two vanes are forced
asunder the two vanes on opposite sides of the shaft and sleeve will also open whilst
the hitherto open space on either side of the drum will be contracted By a suitable
series of valves and ports the following series of actions will take place.-Assuming
that the varying position of the vanes are indicated by the hands of a clock and that
one vane on say the shaft points at or about 12 and that the other vane on the shaft
points at or about 6 and that one vane on say the sleeve on the shaft points also at
or about 12 and that the other vane on the sleeve points also at or about 6 and that
between the vanes pointing to 12 an explosive mixture is exploded
The effect of
the explosion will be to cause the two vanes pointing to 12 to move one to 3 and
one back to 9 at the same time the two vanes which pointed to 6 will be moved at
or about 3 and 9 respectively assume that in the half of the cylinder bounded by the
diagonal line 12 to 6 and by the circumferential line 1 2 3 4 5 6 prior to the explosion
at 12 an uncompressed mixture of air and gas or air and vapour is contained and
that at the moment of explosion at 12 all exit from this half of the cylinder is closed
one effect of the explosion at 12 will be to compress the explosive mixture between
the two vanes approaching 3 at the same time as the two vanes which originally
pointed to 6 are moving to 3 and 9 respectively by suitable ports and valves an
explosive mixture of air and gas or air and vapour is being drawn in to fill the half
of the cylinder bounded by the diagonal line 9 to 3 and the circumferential line
3 4 5 6 7 89 At the same time that this explosive mixture is being drawn into
this last space two of the vanes, which pointed to 12 and 6 respectively are approach-
ing to meet at 9 and by a suitable arrangement of valves and ports the gaseous
contents of the original space bounded by the diagonal line 12 to 6 and the
circunferential line 6 8 9 10 11 12 is being swept out of the cylinder It is thus
obvious that by a suitable arrangement of valves and ports explosions follow one
another in the compressed gasses at the points 12. 3. 6. 9. and that a regular
sequence of Explosion Ejection of the spent gases Intake of the explosive mixture
and compression of the explosive mixture takes place.
It is thus apparent that. by suitably arranging the cranks upon the countershaft
and the cranks or other points of attachment of the connecting rod to the shaft and
sleeve or other centrally moving supports of the vanes there will be two explosions
for each complete revolution of the countershaft.
A suitable valve and port arrangement in connection with my engine may be
formed by a fourway cock the plug of which can by suitable gearing be rotated once
for each two revolutions of the countershaft the four pipes from ports of the cock
connect the cock with the interior of the cylinder (in the instance given) at about the
points 12. 3. 6. and 9. and the moving plug will in turn open each of these parts of
the cylinder respectively.
(1) To the intake of the Explosive Mixture.
(2) Close the cylinder during the compression stroke.
(3) Keep the cylinder closed during the explosion.
(4) Open the port to the exhaust.
It is obvious that many other suitable valve and port appliances may be used
without departing from my invention.
It is also obvious that two or more Drum Cylinders may be connected with the
same countershaft so that an impulse can be given to the countershaft each Revolu-
tion or oftener if required.
It is also obvious that the explosive mixture in my machine may be fired by an
Electric Spark or by other well known means.
It is also obvious that the cylinder may be water jacketted or not or provided with
heat radiating flanges or not as desired.
It is of course obvious that as regards the form of the valves and ports and as

page_text: regards the devices for obtaining the explosive mixtures of air and gas or air and oil
vapour I can make use of any old and well known device.
It is of course apparent that in Engines constructed according to my invention
great balance of the parts is obtained and that little or no vibration is caused and that
my engines are equally suitable for use as fixed engines or for motive purposes for
which last object my Engine is particularly suitable both on Vehicles and in
Boats.
Пиргоѵещелизмаа нарIVDIVO
JAMES EDGAR WIMSHURST 84 Billiter Bldgs. London E.C. Consulting Engineer and
Naval Architect do hereby declare the nature of this invention and intwhat manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of Engines of the class
in which the motive power is derived from the explosion of explosive mixtures of air
and coal gas air and oil vapours or other similar explosive mixtures.
In engines as generally heretofore constructed the explosive mixture has been fired
in a cylinder fitted with a piston which reciprocates backwards and forwards in the
cylinder, rotary motion being imparted to a Flywheel by means of a connecting rod
and suitable crank device.
In most of the Engines in which the force of the explosive combination of gases
has been utilized the engines are of the four phase type, that is to say, there is a
forward movement of the piston during the explosion, then a backward movement of
the piston sweeping out the products of combustion, a second forward movement of
the piston drawing in a fresh explosive mixture, a second backward movement of the
piston compressing the explosive mixture and then as the piston commences its third
outer movement the explosive mixture is fired.
My improved construction of engine is particularly applicable for use with explosive
mixtures of gas and air, or vapours and air.
My improved engine is constructed essentially as follows:-Within a drum shaped
cylinder and upon a shaft passing centrally through the sides of the drum or upon a
sleeve upon such shaft or otherwise so as to be able to rotate or partially rotate
within the drum I-mount two vanes or paddles fitting closely with suitable packing or
similar devices to the sides and internal periphery of the drum These vanes are
arranged radially and diagonally on opposite sides of the shaft or other centre of
rotation, Upon a sleeve upon the shaft or otherwise suitably centrally mounted in
the drum I arrange a second pair of vanes similarily arranged on opposite sides of
the centre of rotation.
The shafts or sleeves or other parts to which the two pairs of vanes are connected
are passed through suitable stuffing boxes or bearings outside the sides of the drum
and, by cranks or other suitable devices connected with the vanes, the movements of
the vanes are transmitted by connecting rods or other suitable devices to a cranked
counter shaft to which rotary movement is to be imparted. The cranked shaft and
the connecting rods and cranks or other devices connected with the two pairs of
vanes are so arranged that each vane passes through substantially a right angle.
It is apparent that the vanes thus arranged and connected constitute four pairs of
bellows within the cylindrical drum. It is also apparent that this arrangement of
apparatus is extremely suitable for four cycle engines of the type hereinbefore
referred to.

page_text: If for instance the vanes on the shaft which are diagonally opposite to one another
and the vanes on the sleeve which are similarly arranged and rotate about a similar
centre of rotation are brought with their faces close together it will be obvious that
the interior of the drum is practically divided into two equal halves by the two pair
of vanes; assuming that between the adjacent faces of two of the vanes which are
near together an explosive mixture of air and gas or air and vapour is exploded in
any well known manner, the effect will be to force asunder the two vanes between
which the explosive mixture is placed. At the same time that these two vanes are
forced asunder the two vanes on opposite sides of the shaft and sleeve will also
open whilst the hitherto open space on either side of the drum will be contracted,
By a suitable series of valves and ports the following series of actions will take
place.
Assuming that the varying position of the vanes are indicated by the hands of a
clock and that one vane on, say, the shaft points at or about 12 and that the other
vane on the shaft points at or about 6 and that one vane on, say, the sleeve on the
shaft points also at or about 12 and that the other vane on the sleeve points also at
or about 6 and that between the vanes pointing to 12 an explosive mixture is
exploded, the effect of the explosion will be to cause the two vanes pointing to 12
to move one to 3 and one back to 9 and at the same time the two vanes. which
pointed to 6 will be moved to or nearly to 3 and 9 respectively Assume that in
the half of the cylinder bounded by the diagonal line 12 to 6. and by the
circumferential line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Prior to the explosion at 12 an incompressed
mixture of air and gas or air and vapour is contained, and that at the moment of
explosion at 12" all exit from this half of the cylinder is closed, one effect of the
explosion at 12 will be to compress the explosive mixture between the two vanes
approaching 3, at the same time as the two vanes which originally pointed to 6
are moving to 3 and 9 respectively by suitable ports and valves an explosive
mixture of air and gas or air & vapour is being drawn in to fill the half of
the cylinder bounded by the diagonal lines 9 to 3 and the circumferential line
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. At the same time that the explosive mixture is being drawn
into this last space two of the vanes which pointed to 12 and 6 respectively are
approaching to meet at 9 and by a suitable arrangement of valves and ports the
gaseous contents of the original space bounded by the diagonal line 12 to 6 and
the circumferential line 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, is being swept out of the cylinder.
It is thus obvious that by a suitable arrangement of valves and ports explosions
follow one another in the compressed gases at' the points 12, 3, 6, 9, and that a
regular sequence of explosion, ejection of the spent gases, intake of the explosive
mixture, and compression of the explosive mixture takes place.
It is thus apparent that by suitably arranging the cranks upon the countershaft
and the cranks or other points of attachment of the connecting rods to the shaft and
sleeve or other centrally moving supports of the vanes there will be two explosions
for each complete revolution of the countershaft.
A suitable valve and port arrangement in connection with my engine may be formed
by a four way cock the plug of which can by suitable gearing be rotated once for each
two revolutions of the countershaft: the four passages from the ports of the cock
connect it with the interior of the cylinder (in the instance given) at or about the
points 12, 3, 6, 9. and the moving plug will in turn, open each of these parts of
the cylinder respectively:
(1). To the intake of the explosive mixture.
(2). Close the cylinder during the compression stroke.
(3). Keep the cylinder closed during the explosion.
(4). Open the port for the exhaust.
It is obvious that by altering' the ports in the plug and the times' of admission and
exhaust and by allowing the gas to enter opposite chambers simultaneously I can
obtain two consecutive explosions in every alternate revolution of the flywheel and no
explosion in every other revolution each of the consecutive explosions taking place
simultaneously in each of the opposite chambers.

page_text: ous that in my invention there need only be rotation of each pair of vanes
relative to the other pair, and therefore instead of having both pairs capable of
rotating, I may fix one pair, and allow only the other pair to rotate through twice
the distance in order to get substantially the same result.
In order that my invention may he more readily understood I have indicated in
the following drawings one form in which an engine constructed according to my
invention may be worked with an explosive mixture of gas and air, one of the two
pairs of vanes being fixed.
Fig 1. is an elevation of a gas Engine constructed according to my invention.
Fig 2. is a plan of the same Engine.
Fig 3. is a sectional elevation of one of the covers of the cylinder on the line R. S.
of Fig 4.
Fig 4. is a section of the cover Q showing the passages for admission and exhaust
from the valve plug.
Fig 5. is an elevation of the outside of the cover Q showing the valve and the
bearing L which supports the end of the shaft C.
Fig 6. shows details of the plug valve.
Fig 7. is a section of the cylinder showing the fixed vanes U. D.
Fig 8 shows the movable vanes in end elevation, and
Fig 9 shows the movable vanes in plan.
The cylinder A is machined internally and has two projecting vanes or arms D. D.
The shaft C is concentric with the cylinder and carries a boss B. machined externally
having two projecting vanes or arms F F. The cylinder has two covers G and Q
In order to make the vanes gas or vapour tight I fix suitable packings to all rubbing
surfaces.
The cylinder is fixed to a bed plate H. and the crank shaft is supported by the
bearings K and L which are preferably fixed to the cylinder covers.
At the end of the bed plate remote from the cylinder I fix another crank shaft (or
countershaft) with a fly wheel supported by hearings P and P the two crank pins M¹
and Care coupled together by a connecting rod of the usual type.
Within the cover'Q and under the bearing L I fit the valve for admission and
exhaust This valve as shown in the drawings is a conical plug valve Fig 6. The
ping as shown has two ports at right angles, one port opening at one end of the plug,
and the other port at the other end of the plug, one port is used for admission of the
charge and the other for the exhaust, The plug is rotated continuously from the
shaft, and in the engine as shown upon the drawings makes one complete revolution
for every two revolutions of the countershaft.
It is obvious that the position and type of valve may be varied without
departing from my invention and that by reversing the exhaust and admission
connections in ways well known to Engineers the motion of the engine can be
reversed.
From each of the four chambers within the cylinder passages are formed which
connect with the valve chamber and correspond with the ports in the valve.
Any well known means may be used for firing the explosive charge thus, upon the
cover G or in other suitable positions I may fit. plugs for firing the charge electrically
The firing will of course take place at the period of movement usual in ordinary gas
engines.
This arrangement produces in each of the four spaces within the cylinder in con
secutive order each of the phases of a four cylinder engine-that is.―
First. Intake of an explosive mixture.
*Second. Compression of same.
Third. Explosion.
Fourth. Discharge of waste gases.
The force exerted within the cylinder is transmitted through the shaft C. and con-
necting rod to the shaft M. giving two impulses to the Flywheel N at each revolution.
In order to keep the cylinder cool I provide water jackets, or radiating flanges may
be fitted if desirable.

page_text: It is obvious that two or more cylinders may be constructed and fitted to drive
upon the same countershaft M.
The shape of the vanes may of course be altered for example I may make them
circular, and the drum of the circumference of which they are attached may be merely
a circular disc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention and
the manner in which the same is to be performed I declare that what I believe to
be new and claim as my invention is :-
1. A reciprocating rotary engine for gas or explosive vapours in which the opera-
tions of taking in the explosive mixture, compressing it, and expelling the exhaust
can be performed simultaneously substantially as described.
2. An engine for gas or explosive vapours constructed substantially. as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated 10 3
CAL
1
1007