Improvements in Steam and like Engines.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 18th Sept., 1899-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam and like Engines.
I, PHILIMOND BAILLY, of Yvoir, in the Kingdom of Belgium, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In steam engines as hitherto constructed, the latent heat of the steam after
it has performed its work is either lost when it escapes into the atmosphere, or
is only utilised to a very small extent in condensation engines. It is only in
very special cases that the heat which it still contains can be utilised, so that,
generally speaking by far the largest proportion of heat capable of utilisation
is lost.
The object of this invention is to obviate this loss by never permitting the
steam, in a closed cycle, to fall to a temperature at which it would condense.
In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I will
describe its application to an ordinary steam motor, by way of example.
Whether the steam is admitted at full pressure or in an expanded condition,
when it leaves the cylinder it is in either case exhausted into the atmosphere or
into a condenser in the condition of vapour. It is sought to obtain between
the admission pressure and the exhaust pressure the greatest possible fall, and
with this object it is endeavoured to diminish the counter pressure as much as
possible.
In engines in accordance with my invention, however, a counter pressure is
maintained such that the steam cannot reach a temperature at which it would
condense and consequently lose its latent heat. When the pressure reaches a
point approximating to condensation, the steam is again heated by means of a
suitable source of heat, either by adding steam at a higher pressure or super-
heated, or otherwise. The steam employed is neither discharged into the atmo-
sphere nor into a condenser where it would heat about twelve times its weight
of water; it alternately absorbs heat which increases its tension and utilises it
by performing work, that is to say the steam acts in the manner of a spring
which is compressed and extended alternately. The steam is only the medium
by means of which the additional heat is converted into work, and it requires
no heat for any internal work of any kind.
Engines in accordance with this invention differ essentially from the engines
employed in the first place by Newcomen Savory and others. In his engine,
Newcomen endeavoured to condense the steam as much as possible, and this
renders my engine essentially different from his, as my chief object is to avoid
condensation in order that the latent heat of the steam may not be lost, and in
this respect it also differs from all ordinary steam engines, in which every effort
is directed to obtaining the most efficient condensation possible.
The invention is applicable to all kinds of piston engines whether single or
double acting, rotary or turbine and so forth. In order to demonstrate its prin-
ciple the more clearly, I will now describe by way of example the manner of
its application to an ordinary single acting steam engine.
The principal parts are: a cylinder, a boiler, a water injector, an ejector and
the mechanism converting the energy developed upon the piston into work.

page_text: A metal cylinder is provided with two covers, the cast feet of which are fixed
upon two beams which are kept parallel and rigidly connected by means of
cross-pieces.
The cylinder is cast with wings or ribs serving to facilitate the transmission
of the heat.
Around the cylinder is arranged a copper vessel of parallelopiped form. The
space or chamber thus formed is filled with a liquid of any kind (oil for
example) the boiling point of which is higher than the temperature of the vapour
which is employed (water or other vapour) when this vessel is open above, and
filled with any suitable liquid when closed and the liquid heated under pressure.
The contents of the chamber are heated by means of a furnace. The gases
which are formed escape through a pipe communicating with the open air.
The piston transmits its motion to the connecting rod and to the crank
actuating the fly-wheel. The cross-head is provided with a tappet striking
against another tappet attached to a rod at à point which may be adjusted as
desired and imparting to this rod a rectilinear movement in
direction.
.
a right hand
Upon one of the covers is mounted a cock and an apparatus hereinafter
termed the ejector.
The cock, the handle of which is operated by a rod, regulates the admission
to the cylinder of a liquid of any suitable kind in a cold state (water in the
present instance) and under pressure.
The ejector consists of a cylindrical body communicating by means of a pipe
with the interior of the cylinder. Within this cylindrical body is arranged a
small piston normally closing the aperture of a pipe. The diameter of this
piston is smaller than that of the chamber in which it is displaced and there
thus exists between the piston and the cylinder wall an annular space through
which the water coming from the cylinder escapes when the piston no longer
obstructs the aperture of the aforesaid pipe.
This latter is provided with a safety valve which is adjustable at will and
which only permits the water to escape when at a predetermined pressure; this
pressure I will call n.
The piston is acted upon by four forces, 1st. its own weight (a negligeable
quantity and one not taken into account in the present case), 2nd. the pressure
within the cylinder tending to cause the piston to descend, 3rd. a spring tend-
ing to raise it by means of a screw-threaded rod, and 4th by the pressure n of
the water beneath the piston which is regulated by the valve. Upon the fly-
wheel is attached a weight which serves to produce upon the piston a pressure m
tending to displace it from the right to the left hand (in a double acting engine
it would be the steam itself which would afford the counter pressure).
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
Assuming the engine to be in motion: The furnace heats the oil in the vessel
to a temperature which, when transmitted to the interior of the cylinder
maintains the steam within this cylinder at a pressure L. This steam being
upon the left hand side of the piston, displaces it towards the right; the move-
ment if transmitted to the crank and to the fly-wheel. The counter weight
rigos.
At the moment when the piston reached the end of its stroke its tappet has
struck against the other tappet, the rod has moved from left to right and this
movement being transmitted to the cock on the cover opens this lathe and
allows cold water to enter the cylinder space to an extent which is capable of
regulation. Immediately the piston moves towards the left hand the cock is
closed. The counter weight being in the act of descent exerts a pressure m
upon the piston. as above stated: the cooling causes the pressure to fall from
to m upon the left hand of the piston, and then (the cooling continuing) the
counter-weight causes the piston to move from right to left, the steam being at
the pressure m.

page_text: minus m.
The transmission of heat through the cylinder walls taking place uninterrup-
tedly, becomes sufficient to again heat the steam to the pressure L. Thereupon
the piston is again displaced towards the right hand with an effective pressure L
The cooling water is forced by the piston into a pipe and from
there passes into the ejector. The piston being acted upon by a vertical prés-
sure consisting of that exerted between the valve and the piston, and of that
due to the spring, is stronger than m but weaker than L. Thus when the
cooling-causes the pressure within the cylinder to fall to m, the water in the
ejector escapes, whilst when the pressure rises to L the piston closes the aper-
ture of the pipe.
.
In order to start the engine it is only necessary to convert in the first
instance, a certain' quantity of water into steam, after which the same steam
continues to serve.
Other means may, however, be employed in order to produce the successive
heatings and coolings; thus, for example, an intermediate chamber distinct
from both boiler and cylinder, the walls and different parts of which are not
affected by the successive heatings and coolings, in order to avoid the loss of
the heat which they store at each stroke of the piston. Such an arrangement
may be arranged as follows:
The chamber, the walls of which are covered by an insulating substance (such
as felt, refractory material or india rubber) is provided with four apertures,
three of which are closed by cocks whilst the fourth communicates with the
single or double acting cylinder. A cock closes and opens a passage for the
steam coming from the boiler, the operation of such cock being effected by a
lever actuated by a rod; this latter is jointed at the two extremities to the
levers of two other cocks, the first of which regulates the admission of the
water under pressure, whilst the latter regulates the discharge of this water
into the boiler. A perforated plate distributes the water under pressure whilst
a metallic gauze serves to divide it as much as possible. Motion is imparted
to the said rod by means of a bent lever which is operated by a rod attached
to the piston rod.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
When the first of the two cocks above mentioned is open, the others are
closed and vice versa; water entering through the first cools the steam in the
chamber. The reduction in pressure produced results in movement of the
piston, which, acting upon the rod, closes the first cock and opens the other
cocks. The steam entering imparts heat to that remaining in the chamber and
the pressure forces back the piston. During this time owing to the equilibrium
of the pressure, the water above the second cock escapes and returns to the
boiler
These reductions of pressure due to the admission of water are regulated, as
in the engine previously described, in such a manner that a counter pressure
upon the piston of the cylinder prevents the pressure from falling lower than
the desired point, and thus prevents complete condensation.
A third arrangement may be found advantageous. Three cylinders are
arranged in communication one with the other in which are displaced their
several pistons. The piston of the first cylinder is the driving piston and the
two other pistons are rigidly connected by means of a rod. The first cylinder
is surrounded by insulating material, the second cylinder which is provided
with ribs, is exposed to the influence of a source of heat; the third cylinder
which is also provided with ribs is constantly cooled.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
The aforesaid rod provided with tappets (excentrics or other equivalent
devices may be employed) is actuated by a beam attached to the piston rod of
the first cylinder. The movement of the rod is communicated by means of a
lever to the other pistons.
When the engine is running the space between the first and third pistons is

page_text: filled with steam. When the second piston is upon the left hand the whole of
the surface of the second cylinder is in contact with the steam and heats it,
whilst the third piston blocks the entrance to the third cylinder. The steam
in becoming heated increases in tension and the first piston is forced upwards.
At the moment when it reaches the top of its stroke, the beam strikes against
a tappet, the second and third pistons are displaced towards the right hand and
it is now the surface of the third cylinder which is in contact with the steam
and cools it, whilst the second piston blocks the entrance to the second cylinder.
This movement of the second and third pistons only require the effort necessary
to overcome friction, since the space between the two pistons remains always
the same.
The steam cools upon contact with the wall of the third cylinder
and its tension decreases until it is equal to that due to a predetermined counter
pressure and such as will not allow it to condense; the piston then descends.
Instead of external heatings and coolings, such heating and cooling may be
effected from within.
It is obvious that these arrangements, which are given by way of example
only, may vary in any desired manner according to circumstances; the cooling
may take place either by injection or by surface cooling, and all suitable known
devices may be employed for this purpose. In the same way the heating may
be effected by injection (of steam, superheated steam, oil or other substances) or
by contact, employing all known methods. I do not therefore limit myself to
the means described, as I may employ any appliances capable of use for heating
or cooling vapour whether water or other vapour.
The principal advantages obtained by the use of my invention are:
1. Avoidance of the loss of the latent heat contained in steam and the con-
sequent economy in fuel.
2. Simplicity of the parts.
3. The reduction of the dimensions of the boiler and all accessory parts.
4. Economy in water.
5. Obviating or decreasing the danger of explosion.
6. Economy in first cost.
improvements in Steam and like Engines.
I, PHILIMOND BAILLY, of Yvoir, in the Kingdom of Belgium, 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 steam engines as hitherto constructed, the latent heat of the steam after
it has performed its work is either lost when it escapes into the atmosphere, or
is only utilised to a very small extent in condensation engines. It is only in
very special cases that the heat which it still contains can be utilised, so that,
generally speaking by far the largest proportion of heat capable of utilisation
is lost.
The object of this invention is to obviate this loss by never permitting the
steam, in a closed cycle, to fall to a temperature at which it would condense.
In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I will
describe its application to an ordinary steam motor, by way of example.

page_text: Whether the steam is admitted at full pressure or in an expanded condition,
when it leaves the cylinder it is in either case exhausted into the atmosphere or
into a condenser in the condition of vapour. It is sought to obtain between
the admission pressure and the exhaust pressure the greatest possible fall, and
with this object it is endeavoured to diminish the counter pressure as much as
possible.
In engines in accordance with my invention, however, a counter pressure is
maintained such that the steam cannot reach a temperature at which it would
condense and consequently lose its latent heat. When the pressure reaches a
point approximating to condensation, the steam is again heated by means of a
suitable source of heat, either by adding steam at a higher pressure or super-
heated, or otherwise. The steam employed is neither discharged into the atmo-
sphere nor into a condenser where it would heat about twelve times its weight
of water; it alternately absorbs heat which increases its tension and utilises it
by performing work, that is to say the steam acts in the manner of a spring
which is compressed and extended alternately. The steam is only the medium
by means of which the additional heat is converted into work, and it requires
no heat for any internal work of any kind.
Engines in accordance with this invention differ essentially from the engines
employed in the first place by Newcomen Savory and others. In his engine,
Newcomen endeavoured to condense the steam as much as possible, and this
renders my engine essentially different from his, as my chief object is to avoid
condensation in order that the latent heat of the steam may not be lost, and in
this respect it also differs from all ordinary steam engines, in which every effort
is directed to obtaining the most efficient condensation possible.
The invention is applicable to all kinds of piston engines whether single or
double acting, rotary or turbine and so forth. In order to demonstrate its prin-
ciple the more clearly, I will now describe by way of example the manner of
its application to an ordinary single acting steam engine.
In the accompanying_drawings:
Figures I, II and III represent in elevation, in plan, and in section respec-
tively, an engine constructed in accordance with my invention.
Figs IV and V show modifications thereof.
The principal parts are: a cylinder, a boiler, a water injector, an ejector and
the mechanism converting the energy developed upon the piston into work.
1 is a cast metal cylinder with two covers 2 and 21 the cast feet of which are
fixed upon two beams 3 which are kept parallel and rigidly connected by means
of cross-pieces.
The cylinder 1 is cast with wings or ribs serving to facilitate the transmission
of the heat.
Around the cylinder is arranged a copper vessel 4 of parallelopiped form. The
space or chamber thus formed is filled with a liquid of any kind (oil for
example) the boiling point of which is higher than the temperature of the vapour
which is employed (water or other vapour), when this vessel is open above, and
filled with any other liquid when closed and the liquid heated under pressure.
The contents of the chamber are heated by means of a furnace 5. The gases
which are formed escape through a pipe 6 communicating with the open air.
The piston transmits its motion to the connecting rod 8 and to the crank 9
actuating the fly wheel 10. The cross-head is provided with a tappet 11 striking
another tappet 12 (Figure 2) attached to a rod 13 at a point which may be
adjusted as desired and imparting to this rod a rectilinear movement in a right
hand direction; 14 is a counter-spring.
Upon the cover 2 is mounted a cock 15 and an apparatus 16 hereinafter
termed the ejector.
The cock 15, the handle of which is operated by a rod 13, regulates the admis-
sion to the cylinder 1 of a liquid of any suitable kind in a cold state (water in
the present instance) and under pressure. As this pressure is obtained in any

page_text: convenient known manner (such as a reservoir pump or the like) the apparatus
employed is not shown in the drawing.
The ejector 16 consists of a cylindrical body communicating by means of a
pipe 17 with the interior of the cylinder. Within this cylindrical body is
arranged a small piston 18 normally closing the aperture of a pipe 19. The
diameter of this piston is smaller than that of the chamber in which it is dis-
placed and there thus exists between the piston and the cylinder wall an annular
space through which the water coming from the cylinder 1 escapes when the
piston 18 no longer obstructs the aperture of the aforesaid pipe 19.
'
This latter is provided with a safety valve 22 which is adjustable at will and
which only permits the water to escape when at a predetermined pressure, this
pressure I will call n.
..
The piston 18 is acted upon by four forces; 1st its own weight (a negligeable
quantity and one not taken into account in the present case), 2nd. the pressure
within the cylinder tending to cause the piston to descend, 3rd a spring 20
tending to raise it by means of a screwthreaded rod 21, and 4th by the pres-
sure of the water beneath the piston which is regulated by the valve 22.
Upon the fly-wheel 10 is attached a weight 25 which serves to produce upon
the piston a pressure m tending to displace it from the right to the left hand
(in a double acting engine it would be the steam itself which would afford the
counter pressure).
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
Assuming the engine to be in motion; the furnace 5 heats the oil in the
vessel 4 to a temperature which, when transmitted to the interior of the
cylinder maintains the steam within this cylinder at a pressure L. This
steam being upon the left hand side of the piston, displaces it towards the
right; the movement is transmitted to the crank 8 and to the fly wheel 10.
The counter-weight rises.
At the moment when the piston 7 reaches the end of its stroke its tappet 11
has struck against the other tappet 12, the rod 13 has moved from left to right
and this movement being transmitted to the cock 15 opens this latter and
allows cold water to enter the cylinder space to an extent which is capable of
regulation. Immediately the piston moves towards the left hand the cock 15 is
closed. The counter-weight 25 being in the act of descent, exerts a pressure m
upon the piston, as above stated; the cooling causes the pressure to fall from /
to m upon the left hand of the piston, and then (the cooling continuing) the
counter-weight causes the piston to move from right to left, the steam being
at the presesure m.
The transmission of heat through the cylinder walls taking place uninter-
ruptedly, becomes sufficient to again heat the steam to the pressure L. There-
upon the piston is again displaced towards the right hand with an effective
pressure L minus m.
The cooling water is forced by the piston into a pipe 17
and from there passes into the ejector 16. The piston 18 being acted upon by
a vertical pressure consisting of that exerted between the valve 22 and the
piston 18, and of that due to the spring 20, is stronger than m but weaker
than L. Thus when the cooling causes the pressure within the cylinder to fall
to m the water in the ejector escapes, whilst when the pressure rises to L the
piston closes the aperture of the pipe 19.
In order to start the engine it is only necessary to convert in the first
instance, a certain quantity of water into steam, after which the same steam
continues to serve.
Other means may, however, be employed in order to produce the successive
heatings and coolings; thus, for example, an intermediate chamber distinct
from both boiler and cylinder, the walls and different parts of which are not
affected by the successive heatings and coolings, in order to avoid the loss of
the heat which they store at each stroke of the piston. Such an arrangement
is shewn in Figure 4.

page_text: The chamber 1, the walls of which are covered by an insulating substance 2
(such as felt, refractory material or india rubber) is provided with four aper-
tures, three of which are closed by cocks whilst the fourth 3 communicates with
the single or double acting cylinder. A cock 4 closes and opens a passage for
the steam coming from the boiler, the operation of such cock being effected
by a lever actuated by a rod 5; this latter is jointed at the two extremities to
the levers of the cocks 6 and 7, the first of which regulates the admission of the
water under pressure, whilst the latter regulates the discharge of this water
into the boiler. A perforated plate 8 distributes the water under pressure
whilst a metallic gauze 9 serves to divide it as much as possible. Motion is
imparted to the said rod 5 by means of a bent lever 10 which is operated by a
rod 11 attached to the piston rod.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
When the cock 6 is open, the cocks 4 and 7 are closed and vice versa: water
entering through the cock 6 cools the steam in the chamber 1. The reduction
in pressure produced results in the movement of the piston, which, acting upon
the rod 11, closes the cock 6 and opens the cocks 4 and 7. The steam entering
imparts heat to that remaining in the chamber 1 and the pressure forces back
the piston. During this time owing to the equilibrium of the pressure, the
water above the cock 7 escapes and returns to the boiler.
These reductions of pressure due to the admission of water are regulated, as
in the engine previously described, in such a manner that a counter pressure
upon the piston of the cylinder prevents the pressure from falling lower than
the desired point, and thus prevents complete condensation.
A third arrangement may be found advantageous. It is represented in
Figure 5 in which, 1, 2 and 3 are three cylinders in communication one with
the other in which are displaced the pistons 4, 5 and C. The piston 4 of the
cylinder 1 is the driving piston and the pistons 5 and 6 are rigidly connected
by the rod 7. The cylinder 1 is surrounded by insulating material, the
cylinder 2, which is provided with ribs, is exposed to the influence of a source
of heat 8; the cylinder 3 which is also provided with ribs is constantly cooled.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
The rod 11. provided with tappets 12 and 13 (excentrics or other equivalent
devices may be employed) is actuated by the beam 14 attached to the piston rod
of the piston 4 of the cylinder 1. The movement of the rod 11 is communi-
cated by means of the lever 10 to the pistons 5 and 6.
When the engine is running the space between the pistons 4 and 6 is filled
with steam. When the piston 5 is upon the left hand, the whole of the surface
of the cylinder 2 is in contact with the steam and heats it, whilst the piston 6
blocks the entrance to the cylinder 3. The steam in becoming heated increases
in tension and the piston 4 is forced upwards. At the moment when it reaches
the top of its stroke, the beam strikes against tannet 12. the pistons 5 and 6
are displaced towards the right hand and it is now the surface of the cvlinder 3
which is in contact with the steam and cools it, whilst the piston 5 blocks
the entrance to the cylinder 2. This movement of the pistons 5 and 6 only
requires the effort necessary to overcome friction since the space between the
two pistons remains always the same. The steam cools upon contact with the
wall of the cylinder 3 and its tension decreases until it is equal to that due to
a predetermined counter pressure and such as will not allow it to condense;
the piston then descends.
Instead of external heatings and coolings, such heating and cooling may be
effected from within.
It is obvious that these arrangements, which are given by way of example
only, may vary in any desired manner according to circumstances: the cooling
may take place either by injection or by surface cooling, and all suitable known
devices may be employed for this purpose. In the same way the heating may
be effected by injection (of steam, superheated steam, oil or other substances) or

page_text: by contact, employing all known methods. I do not therefore limit myself to
the means described, as I may employ any appliances capable of use for heating
or cooling vapour whether water or other vapour.
The principal advantages obtained by the use of my invention are:
1. Avoidance of the loss of the latent heat contained in steam and the con-
sequent economy in fuel.
2 Simplicity of the norte
1ST CUST.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
-
1. In a steam or other vapour engine, the employment of parts enabling the
same steam to be always utilised, without its being possible for such steam to
condense.
2. In a steam or other vapour engine the combination of appliances serving
to heat or cool the same quantity of steam without condensing it.
3. In a steam or other vapour engine for the purpose of preventing conden-
sation, the employment of a counter pressure obtained either by using the
steam itself or by means of known mechanical or physical parts (springs,
weights and so forth).
4. In a steam or other vapour engine the employment between the boiler and
the cylinder (or their equivalents) of an intermediate chamber (or of several
such chambers) in which the heating and cooling or one of these operation,
are produced.
5. In a steam or other vapour engine, the introduction between the boiler
and the cylinder (or their equivalents) of an intermediate chamber (or of several
such chambers) the walls of which are protected from the influence of the heat
and cold by means of an internal or external substance or coating which is a
bad conductor of heat.
6. In a steam or other vapour engine the employment of appliances enabling
the same vapour to be utilised and of one or several intermediate chambers
protected from the influence of the heat; the whole as above described by way
of example.
Dated the 10th
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.