Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 8th Mar., 1887.
I GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the county of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the construction of an improved motor and apparatus for
generating gas to be used therefor.
The improved motor is constructed of two closed receivers one containing air and
the other gas under an equal pressure of about ten atmospheres. The compressed air
and gas escape simultaneously and proportionately from their receivers and are
regulated by two valves and pass separately through a series of vertical tubes
wherein the two fluids are gradually heated during their upward passage and before
reaching the distribution valves. The latter by admitting air and gas into a cylinder
allow them to become intimately mixed. The gasses however are completely separated
before such admission. An igniting device composed of iridiated platinum wires is
maintained at a white heat by an ignited current of air and gas supplied from the
receivers. This igniting device is placed in the cylinder at the opening of the inlet
port so that during the period of admission the mixture may be ignited when
coming into contact with the said device as fast as it enters the cylinder and without
causing an explosion, in consequence whereof no increase of pressure takes place,
there being only an increase of volume. Thus the pressure in the cylinder during the
period of admission is about equal to that existing in the air and gas receivers. The
When the period
distribution valve gear has an automatic variable expansion gear.
of admission is over, that of expansion commences and during the latter the products
of combustion develop a mechanical power which considerably lowers their temperature.
These products at the end of the stroke escape into the atmosphere after having
previously come into contact in their descent with the external surface of the two

page_text: series of metallic tubes containing the air and the gas which are proceeding on their
way to the inlet port. The products of combustion thus yield methodically to the
air and gas proceeding to the cylinder nearly the whole of the caloric which they still
possessed after expansion so that the escaping products are only slightly warm.
An air pump and a gas pump are actuated by the motor and maintain in the two
receivers à constant pressure which is determined when required by a special
apparatus. An injection of water in the form of spray serves to cool the air and the
gas which have a tendency to become heated when being compressed and thus reduce
the consumption of power of the two pumps.
The gas pump is fed with cold gas as required by means of a gas producer which
converts the solid fuel (anthracite, coke, coals and the like) into a gaseous and
inflammable mixture of nitrogen, carbonic oxide, hydrogen and carburetted
hydrogen. This gas producer which is operated by means of superheated air and
steam supplies gas containing a considerable amount of combustible matter entirely
freed from tar and ammonia and its heating power is more than ninety per cent of
that of the fuel treated.
The loss of heat by contact and radiation is rendered exceedingly small owing to
the surfaces in contact with the burning gases being covered with a non-conducting
lining or coating. The superficial layer alone of this somewhat thick coating is
raised to a very high temperature when continuous operations are being carried on,
such temperature ensuring an immediate and complete combustion during the period
of admission.
All the metallic parts subjected to friction and more especially the rings of the
piston which should be gas and air tight have a temperature which is constantly
below one hundred and sixty degrees centigrade, therefore, (nearly the whole of the
heat being converted into mechanical power) the consumption of fuel is reduced to a
minimum. The preservation of the various parts of the engine is ensured owing to
the motor operating with regard to the parts subjected to friction under similar
conditions of temperature to those of a steam engine and without any sudden
increase of pressure in the cylinder and consequently without any shocks liable to
injure the various joints.
The improved motor is represented in elevation and plan at figures 1 and 2,
respectively of the accompanying drawings.
:
A, A, is a bed plate B, B arc motor cylinders fixed upon the bed plate A, A, of
the engine and connected together by a cross bar C, C, C, C, C, Cupon which are
socured the two bearings D, D, D, of the main pivot E of a beam F, G, H, E, HG;
K, K, K, K, are the two compressing pumps, each of which is secured to a support L
fixed to the bed plate A, A. This support is in the form of a hollow cylinder
provided with an opening or recess M, M, M, having an arch at the bottom and
allowing the exhausting and forcing valves, N and O to be easily mounted or removed;
these valves are shown in the vertical section of one of the pumps (figure 6) ;-
HP, HP, are the connecting rods of the pistons of two motor cylinders BB-
GQ, GQ, are the connecting rods of the two compressing pumps K K K K,
KKKK; F, R is a motor or main connecting rod; R, S, is a motor crank fixed to
the main shaft T T only the front bearing of which is shewn at U U V VV is a
fly wheel fixed to the main shaft T T; Wis a centrifugal ball governor W X is the
shaft or spindle of the said governor Y Y are the inlet openings; 11 and II are
openings through which pass to the admission valve of each motor cylinder the air on
the one hand and the gas on the other which issue in a heated state from the
recuperator. Z Z are escape openings;y, y, y, y, are the rods or spindles of the
escape valves a, b, c, are the levers described with reference to figure 5; m, m²,
(figure 2) are pipes joining at a', so that the escaping products may pass on to the
recuperator. Figure 3 is a vertical section on the axis of one of the inotor cylinders
and on that of the rods or spindles of the inlet valves. Figure 4 is a horizontal section
of one of the motors shewing the escape valve and one of the two inlet valves.
B B B B is the external wall of the motor cylinder fixed upon the part A A of the
bed plate; a, a, a, a, is an annular chamber containing water up to a certain height,

page_text: this water slowly evaporating while the motor is in operation and thus serving to feed
the gas producer with sicam; b, b, b, b, is the wall of the cylinder proper in which
slide the Swedish rings c, c, c, e, with which the upper part of the piston d, d, d, d, is
provided, foundry sand serving to prevent heat from escaping below the
piston d, d, d, d; HH, P, connecting rod of the piston d, d, d, d connected thereto
by the axis P and to the beam by the axis H H11, 1, 9, 9, 9 represent a lining
or coating of baked refractory earth whose upper part f f f f forms a hollow
cylinder in which moves without friction the lower part of the piston d, d, d, d. The
lower part .,, is solid. The lower portion of the cylinder ff ff, serves as a
combustion chamber; h, h, are tie bars securing the cross bar k, k, serving as a guide
for the left hand ends of the rods 1, 1, 1, 1, of the two inlet valves o, o. These valves
are opened from the right to the left hand side; one serves to admit air and the other
gas, these fluids being supplied in a heated state from the recuperator. The said
valves are held upon their seats by the spiral springs m, m; n, n. are stuffing boxes
for the spindles of the inlet valves; p, p, are the forked pieces of the levers the pivots
of which are shewn at r,,, r, figure 1. The end of each of these rests upon a
cams, rotated by the spindle WX of the governor W (figure 5). The forked end P:P
bears upon a butting piece t, t, of the rod 1, 1, and raises the valve o, at the required
time,, are the inlet chambers. When the inlet valves o, 9, are raised, air is
admitted in one chamber and gas in the other. These two chambers are each closed
at the side of the opening a, a, by a perforated partition or plate v, z, arranged in
such a manner that the jets of hot air and gas issuing therefrom cross one another so
that the mixture of the two fluids is immediately and thoroughly effected within the
opening, conveying the same to the cylinder; y, y, is the rod or spindle of the
escape valve figure 4; e, is the escape opening leading to the pipe m; I is one of
the two pipes conveying respectively air and gas to the inlet port of each motor
cylinder, these fluids being supplied in a heated state from the recuperator is
the igniting device", is the safety valve; el, is a spiral formed with an iridiated
platinum wire kept at a red heat when the motor is in operation. Figure 5 is a
vertical section on the central pivot E of the beam; A A is a bed plate and B one of
the two motor cylinders: CCCC, tie bar connecting the upper part of the two motor
cylinders BB DDD, DDD, are bearings of the main pivot E E, of the beam
F, G, H, E, H, G; W X is the shaft or spindle of the governor W11; 1; 4, are
the extremities of the four levers for the admission gear resting upon the cams s,s, 8, 8;
the two upper cams are integrally formed as also are the two lower cams. They are
capable of sliding upon the spindle W X, of the governor, the part of this spindle
which corresponds to the ascending or descending motion of the cams being formed
for that purpose square in horizontal section. The two upper and integral cams
serve for the gear admitting gas in the motor cylinders B B; they are raised or
lowered together by the two vertical rods of the governor W, which rods connect the
collar of the governor with that of the two cams engaging with the groove,
(figures 12 and 13) and by this means the admission of gas is caused to last during a
period of time decreasing in proportion as the speed of the engine increases. The two
lower cams formed in one piece serve for the gear admitting air in the motor
cylinders B B and may be raised or lowered together by hand by means of a lever
one end of which has the shape of a fork and engages with the circular groove ¹¹;
formed at the lower part of these two cams while the other end has the shape of a
toothed sector; by this means the admission of air can be controlled by hand so as to
take place during a greater or smaller portion of the stroke of the motor pistons.
Moreover the cams are constructed so that the inlets for air and gas shall always start
simultaneously in each motor cylinder B, the admission of air only being allowed to
be continued after that of the gas.
11
a, b, c shew a lever serving to raise the escape valve when required. This lever
pivois upon, one of its ends, a', being bent as shewn in figure 2 and resting upon
the cam d, mounted upon the shaft or rod W X of the governor, while the other
ende, acts upon the spindle or rod y, y, of the escape valve, opening in an upward
direction as shewn in figure 4. This valve is brought back to its seat by the spiral
+

page_text: 2
spring e, shewn in figure 1. Another lever similar to the preceding lever acts in a
like manner upon the second escape valve. The ends a¹, of these two levers are
actuated by the cam d' the said levers having a common pivot, upon which they
move in different directions in a similar manner to that of a pair of shears the shape
of which they are made to assume is a bevel pinion imparting a rotary motion
to the shaft or rod W X of the governor and thereby to the admission cams 8, 8, 8, 8,
and to the escape cams d. This pinion gears with another pinion shown at g',
figure 2. Figure 6 is a vertical section of one of the pumps through the axis of the
pump body and perpendicularly to the beam; A A, is a bed plate upon which is
fixed the recessed support L L L L, carrying the pump body KKKK, in which
moves the piston i, į, provided with a ring of hard india-rubber ², insuring its
impermeability to air and gas; N is an exhausting valve and O'is a forcing valve;
GGQQ is the connecting rod of the piston i¹, of the compressing pump; HP, is a
piston fixed to the rod ¹¹, moving in a tube and having a tendency to become
raised under the action of the spiral spring M' M¹ the pressure of the vessel in which
the fluid compressed by the pump K K K K, is stored being exerted upon the
piston H through the tube E; A¹ B' C, is a lever the pivot of which is at B1; the
end D of the rod D', H' bears upon the end A of the lever when the pressure
transmitted by the pipe E¹ from the vessel to the piston H', has overcome resistance
of the spring MM -The end c¹ of the lever A B¹ C¹, then raises the rod C¹ N and
the suction valve N, so that the pump K K K K then ceases to operate, starting again
as soon as the pressure upon the piston H' has sufficiently decreased; N is a spiral
spring serving to keep the forcing valve o upon its seat. Figures 12 and 13 are
elevations of the cams and figures 14 and 15 are plans of the same. Figure 7 is a
vertical section upon the axis of the main shaft TT; A A is a bed plate carrying the
bearing U U of the main shaft T T to which is fixed the helicoidal gear h², similar
to the gear k,,, imparting a motion to the pinion g', ', by means of the hori-
zontal shaft B B, B B is a motor cylinder shewn also at B on the left hand side of
figure 1 E F. R is a motor rod connected to the beam by the rod FF; RR is the
pin of the crank RS;-D D are bearings of the main support or shaft E E of
the beam F. G. H. E. H. G; K K K K is a compressing pump shewn also at K on the
left hand side of figure 1; L is a support fixed upon the bed plate and carrying
the pump K K K K; M M M is a recess formed in the support L and allowing the
suction valve N and the forcing valve O to be easily inspected. Figure 8, is a vertical
section of the recuperator through the main axis or pivot E E of the beam; Figure 9
is a vertical section of the recuperator taken on a line parallel to the length of the
beam and passing through the centre of the preceding section; n', is an opening
through which enter into the recuperator the products which have escaped from the
cylinder these products circulate in their descending motion around the tubes which
they serve to heat; o, o', inlet openings of the recuperator serving one for cold air
and the other for cold gas; p³, an escape outlet for the products of combustion
after they have heated the pipes of the recuperator; 7', ', are bifurcated pipes one of
which conveys heated air to each admission valvey, y, and the other conveys heated gas;
,, are metal pipes fixed at both their ends to the tube plate s¹, s1, 1, 1; figure 9
shews two series of such pipes, the air becoming heated in one series and gas in
another previous to reaching the inlet opening. The mixture of air and gas is
prevented from taking place as these two fluids enter into or issue from the
recuperator by partitions, ensuring the tube plates, being air tight;
,,,, is a coating of plaster or sand arranged around the recuperator between
two sheet iron casings or jackets and serving to protect the recuperator from the
cold outer air Vi Vi, is a partition having for its object to fill up a space in the
recuperator which would exist without it between the two series of tubes. Figure 10
is a plan of the escape cam. Figure 11 is a vertical section of the escape cam on a
line taken through the shaft W X of the governor and parallel to the two opposite
flat lateral faces of the cam; W X is the shaft of the governor imparting a motion to
the escape cam d³, d², fixed permanently thereon. Each cam s, consists of a cylindrical
body P P P P¹, the convex surface of which is provided at one part with a
;

page_text: protuberance or projection te¹, a¹, y', limited on the one hand by a straight line w¹³,
parallel to the cam shaft and on the other hand by a helical arc w¹, y'. This projection
has a convex outer surface having the same axis as the cam s, the said convex surface
being connected besides with the cylindrical body P1, P1, P P of the cam by the
two left hand surfaces of revolution produced by a straight line remaining constantly
in a horizontal plane while moving in the direction of the directrix w³, al on the one
hand and in that of the directrix to, y, on the other hand and being in both cases
constantly tangential to the cylindrical surface of the body of the cam. The two
elevations shew that the four cams s, s, s, s, are coupled two by two so as to be
integral one with the other and to form two double cams each. These cams are
coupled so that the points w¹, of the projections or inclines shall be the extremities of
radii forming in two different planes an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees.
Z is a circular groove formed in the upper part of the double cam for the admission
of gas and in the lower part of the double cam d, for the admission of air. As
regards the former cam, this groove is provided with a collar connected to that of the
governor W by two vertical rods so that the said gove..or when operating may
impart to the double cam for the admission of gas a vertical motion along the
shaft WX having a square horizontal section N', which motion causes the admission
of gas to cease sooner or later. With reference to the double cam for the admission
of air, the forked extremity of a lever engages in the groove, ', and enables the
double cam to be more or less raised by hand so as to cause the admission of air to be
stopped sooner or later, such admission never having to be stopped before that of the
gas but which can on the contrary be continued after the latter has ceased. Figure 16
is a horizontal section on line all, a", of figure 12. Figure 17 is a horizontal section
line of figure 12. Figure 18 is a horizontal section on line a", a¹¹, of
figure 13. Figure 19 is a horizontal section on line ", " of figure 13. Figure 20
is a section on the axis of the igniting device and Figure 21 is a plan of the same.
gh, and g, h, k, represent the body of the igniting device consisting of a
cylindrical tube g, h, and g, h, the external part 1, of which is screw threaded
so as to be fixed to the external part of the motor cylinders B B and one end K" K",
of which forms a six sided head provided internally with a screw thread, securing
a double cock to which are conveyed simultaneously compressed air on the one hand
and compressed gas on the other proceeding from the two vessels; ml, m, are iron
wires which owing to their conductibility for heat limit the combustion within the
cylindrical part g₁, g, where the platinum spirals are placed; n,, small iron
cylinder screw threaded outwardly in such a manner that the outside diameter of the
screw thread is equal to the internal diameter of the pipe ", " and g" ". The
air and gas reaching the double cock separately but simultaneously wherein they
become intimately mixed pass through the group of iron wires ml, m, whence the
.combustible mixture circulates within the convolutions forming the screw thread of
the cylinder n so that the speed of the gaseous current entering the chamber g", "
wherein are placed the platinum spirals shall be sufficiently decreased to render
combustion casy; oll, o¹¹, o", oll, are spirals of iridiated platinum which are maintained
at a red hot temperature while the igniting device is in operation; p", p"; ", p, are
iridiated platinum wires or pins in which engage the spirals o".
11
11
A pipe provided with a cock or a valve establishes a communication between the
top of the air vessel with the lower part o¹, of the series of air tubes of the recuperator
figures 8 and 9. This recuperator is arranged in a vertical position in a pit, its lower
part being at a considerably lower level than the bed plate of the engine. The heated
air issues from the upper part of the air tubes of the recuperator through two pipes
each provided with a retaining valve preventing the air from reentering the
recuperator and each pipe conveys the heated air to each admission valve y of the two
motor cylinders. A pipe establishes a communication between the bottom of the air
receiver and the forcing valve case o, of the air pump figure 6. A pipe provided
with a cock or valve establishes a communication between the top of the gas receiver
and the lower part o¹, of the series of gas tubes of the recuperator. The heated gas
issues from the upper part of the gas tubes of the recuperator through two pipes,

page_text: .
each provided with a retaining valve preventing the gases from returning to the
recuperator and each pipe conveys the heated gas to its respective admission valve Y
of the. two motor cylinders; another pipe establishes a communication between the
bottom of the gas receiver and the forcing valve case of the gas pump. The exhaust
valve case N of the air pump communicates freely with the atmosphere. A pipe
establishes a communication between the valve case N of the gas pump and the
opening at which gas is taken from the gas producer. A pipe ejects into the
atmosphere the tepid escaping products coming from the bottom of the recuperator.
Pipes lead from the air and gas receivers to the double cock of each igniting device
in order to feed the latter with compressed air and gas; these pipes are each provided
with a retaining valve preventing the escaping fluid from returning to the receiver.
The two receivers one for the air and the other for gas are cach provided with a
manometer and safety valves as well as with a water level at their lower part. The
water which is at the lower part of the air receiver feeds a small channel (not shown)
in the air pump by means of a pipe having a cock and leading from the bottom of
the vessel to the said channel. In a similar manner the water situated at the bottom
of the gas receiver feeds the channel (not shewn) of the gas pump by means of a pipe
provided with a cock. The water is also conveyed from the bottom of each receiver
into the jacket, of each motor cylinder by means of two pipes provided with cocks.
The jackets 7" 7" 7", are each provided with a manometer and a safety valve
as well as with an outlet pipe furnished with a cock for the steam which after having
been superheated feeds the injector of the gas producer.
7
In order to start the engine, each safety valve such as d¹¹, of the motor cylinders is
raised by means of a lever (not shewn) the cocks conveying air and gas to each
igniting device are opened and an ignited body is brought in close proximity to the
safety valved. The two cocks or valves admitting air and gas at the bottom of the
recuperator are then simultaneously opened and the safety valves are immediately
shut the cocks supplying water to the small channels being subsequently opened.
The gas used is supplied from one of the two apparatus hereinafter described.
3
3
3
3
Figure 22, is a vertical section on the axis of the gas generator or producer and on
that of the injector. C, D, E, F, C, D, E, F, fire place of ganister refractory
bricks or other suitable heat resisting refractory material; G, G, is the fuel and H, H3,
a movable grate; K, is the ash box; L³, C3, is a door allowing the grate to be
cleaned; M, N, L, O, M, N, I, O, is the base or support of the gas producer;
PP, annular channel or space in which the cinders carried away by the liberated
gas are deposited. This annular channel is provided at its lower part with a few
self closing openings (not shown) allowing the deposit formed therein to be removed
from time to time 43 Q3 73 R3 73 R3 73 Q, is an arrangement of metallic tubes through
which passes the gas produced before reaching the space P, P. These tubes may
form one or several circular rows and may be made of iron, sheet steel, red copper,
brass or cast iron, or they may be covered with a thin layer of any of the well
known infusible and unalterable enamels in order to prevent them from being
deteriorated; R, R, are openings or in some cases free spaces allowing the outside
air to enter, and to circulate in its ascending motion around the tubes 3 Q3 by
which it is heated; S3, S, are openings or in some cases free spaces enabling
heated air to be conveyed to the annular space S, T, U, V, X, is a channel
for the hot air drawn into the space S3 T3 by the injector and forced into the
ash box K; Y is an injector for superheated steam; Z is a tube in which steam
is injected in order to produce a draft of hot air; a is the ash box door; N3 b, N¸
sand or other suitable substance being a non-conductor of heat;
da dad is a double sheet iron jacket surrounding the gas producer and fixed at the top
and at the bottom by means of angle iron. Between these two jackets are placed the
tubes QC3 C3 is the outer sheet iron jacket of the gas producer; fafafa is a coil
or metal pipe (preferably of iron) serving to produce and superheat the water steam
injected into the gas producer. The introduction of a thin jet of water or of steam is
effected, without pressure at the upper part of the coil and the superheated steam
arrives at the bottom of the injector Y, X3, is the rod of the injector terminated
and ca
°

page_text: on the left hand side by a needle and on the right hand side by a fly wheel serving to
regulate the injection; h h h is a cast or sheet iron cylinder or casing forcing the
gas produced to circulate around the coil previous to reaching the space k k and
thence in the pipes Q3 73; 13, is the upper cover of the gas producer proper;-m
is
a cock (which can be replaced by a valve) serving to place the gas producer during
the ignition in communication with the flue arranged at n. This cock is closed while
the gas producer is in operation; is a mouth or funnel serving to receive the
supply of fuels, door closing the mouth of the furnace; (,,, is a inovable cast iron
cone or plug closing the lower part of the mouth of the gas producer; /, 3 t is a rod
passing through the stuffing box u, and allowing the cone or plug fat to be raised
or lowered by means of a lever (not shewn) to which this rod is jointed. Figure 23
is a horizontal section on A, B, N, N, N, foundry sand contained in the base of the
gas producer P, P3 P3 is an annular space wherein ashes or cinders are deposited;
V₁ is a hot air inlet W, is the opening for the supply of the gas produced; a¹, a', is a
door allowing the grate to be cleaned; a' ', ' 3 is a cleaning out opening.
3
3
3
The object of the hereinafter described recuperating and smoke consuming gas
producer is the rapid continuous and economical conversion of any suitable fuel but
particularly of coal into gas which is brought to an ordinary temperature and rendered
as rich as possible in combustible matter besides being thoroughly freed from tar and
ammonia. This improved gas producer consists of a closed hearth or fire place formed
of refractory material such for example as bricks surrounded by a metallic casing
serving to render the fire place gas tight that is to say to cut off all communication
between it and the exterior.
The column of fuel is supported at the bottom by a grating E2 and the fuel is fed
through a neck or pipe F, G, provided with a cover F, fitting accurately the upper
edge of the said neck, which is hermetically closed at the bottom by a cone or plug G₂
capable of being raised or lowered, by means of a lever (not shown) jointed to the
rod H. The cone or plug being raised, the lid is opened in order to introduce the
fuel in the space F, G, formed between the lid or cover and the cone or plug; the lid
or cover is then closed and the plug is lowered to allow the fuel to descend. In its
descent the fuel forms a column gradually reaching as far as I, so that the coal
accumulated in the part I, J, does not burn and is only heated to a very small extent,
simply serving for storage and causing a regular and continuous amount of fresh fuel
to be fed as the column J, K, sinks in consequence of the combustion taking place
therein.
The combustion of the column of coal E, K, J, is simultaneously effected at the
bottom and at the top. For this purpose air and steam both in a highly superheated
state enter at the same time; firstly into the ash box L, closed by the door M, in
order to pass through the grate E, and burn while ascending the column E, K,
secondly into the annular space N, N., and thence through the flues or inclined
openings 0, 0, into the upper part of the column of coal J, K, which burns in its
turn under the action of the descending gaseous current.
2
2
In order to burn the column J, K, it is necessary to decrease the proportion of
steam relatively to the air, when the fuel used yields abundant products in the course
of distillation, such as rich coal for instance. The gases formed are conveyed into the
annular space P, P, while ascending through the inclined flues Q, Q-From this
annular space PP, they pass into a steam boiler R. R, where the high temperature
of these gases is utilized for the production of water steam and for superheating the
same, this superheating operation being effected in the upper part of the tubes which
project above the level S, of the water in the boiler.
The heat still retained by the gas after this first operation is used for heating the
air which serves to promote combustion in the upper and lower parts of the gas
producer.
For this purpose the gases on issuing from the boiler tubes R, R, enter the upper
part of the tubes of a reheater or recuperator T, T., composed of a set of tubes
through which descend the gases which gradually become cooled whilst the cold air

page_text: 2
drawn from the outside through the opening U, comes into contact with the outer
surface of the tubes and ascends and becoming methodically and gradually heated for
entering the upper circular space V, V, whence it is conveyed through the pipes
V, X, Y, V, X, N, to the ash box L, and to the annular space No, N₂. Two cones or
plugs Z, and W, one of which is raised while the other is lowered, allow the cooled
gas to escape either into the chimney or flue in order to fire the gas producer or into
apparatus for utilizing the said gas.
2
The superheated steam produced by the boiler R, R, may be employed in two ways
for drawing the cold air through the opening U,:
1. This steam is injected through a small pipe placed in the centre of the opening U.
The section of the end opening of this injector pipe can be varied by means of a
conical pin introduced therein and propelled forward or backward by hand as will be
well understood without further description.
A mixture of equal parts of superheated steam and air then enters the ash box L,
and the annular space N, N.
This arrangement is suitable for fuel yielding small products when subjected to
distillation.
2. The said steam is simultaneously injected at a, and at b₂ by two injectors with
needles fixed hermetically at the two above mentioned points. In this case the two
injectors cause hot air to be drawn in, which air has been drawn in at U, and has
become heated in the recuperator T, T¸.
Much less steam can besides be injected at a relatively to the amount of hot air
drawn in than is injected at b,; this is suitable as above mentioned in the case of fuel
It is obvious that the
yielding abundant products when subjected to distillation.
heated gases issuing from the annular space or channel P, P, may be conveyed first
into the recuperator T, T, and then into the boiler R, R, instead of travelling in the
reverse direction as above described.
2 2
Self closing openings arranged on the periphery of the annular spaces or
channels N, N2 and P2 P, opposite the flues 0, 0, and Q2 Q, enable the same to be
cleaned. The doors serve for the same purpose.
2
The boiler R, R, is provided with ordinary safety and indicating apparatus. This
gas producer is capable of consuming its own smoke owing to the products of the
distillation carried on at J, traversing the column J, K, of incandescent fuel which
The use of hot air for
decomposes the tar and the ammonia contained therein.
effecting the combustion raises to a maximum the yield of gases in combustible matter
since it allows the largest possible quantity of steam to be decomposed.
The above described gas producer is smoke consuming and produces in a continuous
and regular manner combustible gases freed from tar and ammonia and the composition
of which is constant while its heating power is theoretically equal to that of the
converted fuel.
By the employment of this improved motor the consumption of fuel can whilst
obtaining a high degree of power be reduced to 0.173 per horse power and per hour.
I. 1. The pressure in each of the two receivers is equal to ten atmospheres.
2. The expansion continues in the cylinder until a pressure equal to that of the
atmosphere is obtained.
3. The initial pressure of the air and gas is 0 degrees centigrade.
4. The temperature of the products of combustion rises to 1,365 degrees.
II. Owing to combination, the inflammable mixture is subjected when burning
to a certain amount of contraction provided the temperature and pressure remain
constant. This contraction the value of which changes with the composition of
the mixture, is always somewhat feeble owing to the presence in the mixture of a
No account need
strong proportion of nitrogen and also of that of oxygen in excess.
then be practically taken thereof if, as a set off, the coefficient of the useful effect of
the engine is suitably decreased. Besides a strict calculation which could be easily
made would not be possible without the composition of the combustible mixture being
given.

page_text: one cubic metre at Û degrees and a pressure of 0º-76 : T₂
80085
10

page_text: XIII. By taking 0.70 as a coefficient of useful effect for the motor the consumption
0*8.173.
=
per effective horse power and per hour becomes
0.121.
0.70
XIV. The preceding calculations allow of determining without difficulty the
dimensions required to construct one of these improved machines of fixed power and
it will be found that the volume, the weight and the cost of a motor of this class are
respectively less with equal power than the corresponding items of a steam engine.
The improved motor can be fed not only with the gas supplied by the herein
described gas producers but also with lighting gas, petroleum vapor, hydrogen non
nitrogenous mixtures of hydrogen and carbonic oxide known as water gas, carbonic
oxide alone and generally with all combustible gases or vapors.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Motor and Apparatus for Generating Gas therefor.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the county of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (a communication from abroad by Cephas Francois Léonce Gardie,
of Nantes, in the republic of France, Engineer) and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to the construction of an improved motor and apparatus for
generating gas to be used therefor.
The improved motor is constructed of two closed receivers one containing air and
the other gas under an equal pressure of about ten atmospheres. The compressed air
and gas escape simultaneously and proportionately from their receivers and are
regulated by two valves and pass separately through a series of vertical tubes wherein
the two fluids are gradually heated during their upward passage and before reaching
the distribution valves. The latter by admitting air and gas into a cylinder allow
them to become intimately mixed. The gases however are completely separated before
such admission. An igniting device composed of iridiated platinum wires is main-
tained at a white heat by an ignited current of air and gas supplied from the receivers.
This igniting device is placed in the cylinder at the opening of the inlet port so that
during the period of admission the mixture may be ignited when coming into contact
with the said device as fast as it enters the cylinder and without causing an explosion,
in consequence whereof no increase of pressure takes place, there being only an
increase of volume. Thus the pressure in the cylinder during the period of admission
is about equal to that existing in the air and gas receivers. The distribution valve
gear has an automatic variable expansion gear. When the period of admission is
over, that of expansion commences and during the latter the products of combustion
develop a mechanical power which considerably lowers their temperature. These
products at the end of the stroke escape into the atmosphere after having previously
come into contact in their descent with the external surface of the two series of
metallic tubes containing the air and the gas which are proceeding on their way to
the inlet port. The products of combustion thus yield methodically to the air and
gas proceeding to the cylinder nearly the whole of the caloric which they still
possessed after expansion, so that the escaping products are only slightly warm.
An air pump and a gas pump are actuated by the motor and maintain in the two
receivers a constant pressure which is determined when required by a special
apparatus. An injection of water in the form of spray serves to cool the air and
the gas which have a tendency to become heated when being compressed and thus
reduce the consumption of power of the two pumps.
The gas pump is fed with cold gas as required by means of a gas producer which
converts the solid fuel (anthracite, coke, coals, and the like) into a gaseous and
inflammable mixture of nitrogen, carbonic oxide, hydrogen and carburetted hydrogen.

page_text: This gas producer which is operated by means of super-heated air and steam, supplies
gas containing a considerable amount of combustible matter entirely free from tar
and ammonia and its heating power is more than 90 per cent. of that of the fuel
treated.
The loss of heat by contact and radiation is rendered exceedingly small owing to the
surfaces in contact with the burning gases being covered with a non conducting
lining or coating. The superficial layer alone of this somewhat thick coating is raised
to a very high temperature when continuous operations are being carried on, such
temperature ensuring an immediate and complete combustion during the period of
admission.
All the metallic parts subjected to friction and more especially the rings of the
piston which should be gas and air-tight have a temperature which is constantly
below 160° Centigrade, therefore (nearly the whole of the heat being converted into
mechanical power) the consumption of fuel is reduced to a minimum.
The preservation of the various parts of the engine is ensured owing to the motor
operating with regard to the parts subjected to friction under similar conditions of
temperature to those of a steam engine and without any sudden increase of pressure
in the cylinder and consequently without any shocks liable to injure the various
joints.
The improved motor is represented in elevation and plan at figures 1 and 2
respectively of the accompanying drawings.
A A is a bed plate; B B are motor cylinders fixed upon the bed plate A A of the
engine and connected together by a cross bar C. C. C. C. C. C. upon which are
secured the two bearings D D of the main pivot E of a beam F G H EH G.-
KK are the two compressing pumps each of which is secured to a support L fixed
to the bed plate A A. This support is in the form of a hollow cylinder provided
with a semi cireular opening or recess M M (one of which is shewn more clearly in
figure 7 which represents a vertical cross section upon the axis of the main shaft T)
allowing the suction and forcing valves N and O to be easily mounted or removed and
inspected these valves are shewn in figure 6 which is a vertical section taken through
the axis of one of the pumps and perpendicularly to the beam. HP, HP are the
connecting rods of the pistons of the two motor cylinders B B.-G Q, GQ, are the
connecting rods of the two compressing pumps KK.-FR is a motor or main con-
necting rod. RS is a motor crank fixed to the main shaft TT, only the front bearing
of which is shewn at U.-V is a fly wheel fixed to the main shaft. T figure 7.-W is a
centrifugal ball governor.-WX is the shaft or spindle of the said governor. Y Y are
the inlet openings. ZZ, figure 4, are escape openings; y,, y, y, are the rods or
spindles of the escape valves; m, m' (figure 2) are pipes joining at n', so that the
escaping products may pass on to the recuperator.-Figure 3 is a vertical section on the
axis of one of the motor cylinders and on that of the rods or spindles of the inlet
valves. Figure 4 is a horizontal section of one of the motor cylinders shewing the
escape valve and one of the two inlet valves. BB is the external wall of the motor
cylinder fixed upon the bed plate A A. a, a, figure 3 is an annular chamber con-
taining water up to a certain height, this water slowly evaporating while the motor is
in operation and thus serving to feed the gas producer with steam. b, b, is the wall
of the cylinder proper in which slide the swedish rings c, c, with which the upper part
of the piston d, d, is provided; e, e, foundry sand serving to prevent heat from
escaping below the piston d, d; HHP connecting rods of the pistons d, d, connected
thereto by the axes P and to the beam by the axes H H., and g, figure 3 represent
a lining or coating of baked refractory earth whose upper part, forms a hollow
cylinder in which moves without friction the lower part of the piston d, d.-The
lower part, is solid. The lower portion of the cylinder f, serves as a combustion
chamber., h, are tie-bars securing the cross bar k, k, serving as a guide for the left
hand ends of the rods 1, 1, 1, 1, of the two inlet valves o o. These valves are opened
from the right to the left hand side; one serves to admit air and the other gas, these
fluids being supplied in a heated state from the recuperator. The said valves are held
upon their seats by the spiral springs m, m.-n, n, are stuffing boxes for the spindles

page_text: of the inlet valves. p, p, are the forked pieces of the levers the pivots of which are
shewn at r, r, r, r, figure 1. The end 7, of each of these rests upon a cam s, figure 5,
rotated by the spindle WX of the governor W (figure 5). The forked end p, p,
bears upon a butting piece t, t, of the rod 1, 1, and raises the valve o, at the required
time. u, u, are the inlet chambers. When the inlet valves o, o, are raised, air is
admitted in one chamber and gas in the other. These two chambers are each closed
at the side of the opening, c, by a perforated partition or plate v, v, arranged in such
a manner that the jets of hot air and gas issuing therefrom cross one another so that
the mixture of the two fluids is immediately and thoroughly effected within the
opening a, a, conveying the same to the cylinder. -y, y, is the rod or spindle of the
escape valve z, figure 4.-w, is the escape opening leading to the pipe m³, figure 1.
I, figure 4, is one of the two pipes conveying respectively air and gas to the inlet part
of each motor cylinder, these fluids being supplied in a heated state from the
recuperator. is the igniting device. d is a safety valve. " is a spiral iridiated
platinum wire kept at a red heat when the motor is in operation. Figure 5 is a
vertical section on the central pivot E of the beam: the two upper cams s, s, are
integrally formed as also are the two lower cams. They are capable of sliding upon
the spindle W X of the governor, the part of this spindle which corresponds to the
ascending or descending motion of the cams being formed for that purpose square in
horizontal section. The two upper and integral cams serve for the gear admitting gas
into the motor cylinders BB they are raised or lowered together by the two vertical
rods of the governor W, which rods connect the collar fl of the governor with that of
the two cams engaging with the groove z¹, shewn in figures 12 and 13, which are
elevations of the cams, figures 14 and 15 being plans of the same. Figure 16 is a
horizontal section on line a", a", of figure 12. Figure 17 is a horizontal section on
line 6, of figure 12. Figure 18 is a horizontal section on line a, a, of figure 13.
Figure 19 is a horizontal section on line 6, 6, of figure 13. By this means the
admission of gas is caused to last during a period of time decreasing in proportion as
the speed of the engine increases. The two lower cams formed in one piece serve for
the gear admitting air in the motor cylinders B B and may be raised or lowered
together by hand, by means of a lever one end of which has the shape of a fork and
engages with the circular groove 21, ¹, formed at the lower part of these two cams
while the other end has the shape of a toothed sector; by this means the admission of
air can be controlled by hand so as to take place during a greater or smaller portion
of the stroke of the motor pistons. Moreover the cams are constructed so that the
inlets for air and gas shall always start simultaneously in each motor cylinder B, the
admission of air only being allowed to be continued after that of the gas.
11
"
11
A lever a,, c, shewn in figure 5, serves to raise the escape valve, when
required. This lever pivots upon , one of its ends a', being bent as shewn in
figure 2 and resting upon the cam d¹, (shown detached in plan and edge views at
figures 10 and 11 respectively) mounted upon the shaft or rod WX of the governor
which actuates the cam, while the other end c', acts upon the spindle or rod y, y, of
the escape
valve , opening in an upward direction in figure 4.
This valve is brought
back to its seat by the spiral spring e', shewn in figure 1.
Another lever similar to
the preceding lever acts in a like manner upon the second escape valve.
The ends a',
of these two levers are actuated by the cam d, the said levers having a common
pivot upon which they move in different directions in a similar manner to that of a
pair of shears the shape of which they are made to assume. is a bevil pinion
imparting a rotary motion to the shaft or rod W X of the governor and thereby to the
admission cams s, s, s, s, and to the escape cams d¹. This pinion gears with another
pinion shewn at g', figure 2. The piston i, i, figure 6, of the pump body K is provided
with a ring of hard india-rubber, ensuring its impermeability to air and gas.
H' is a piston fixed to the rod D and moving in a tube and having a tendency to
become raised under the action of the spiral spring M³, the pressure of the vessel in
which the fluid compressed by the pump K is stored being exerted upon the piston II
through the tube EA, B, C, is a lever the pivot of which is at B; the lower end
of the rod D¹ bears upon the end A' of the lever when the pressure transmitted by the

page_text: pipe E from the vessel to the piston H has overcome the resistance of the spring M'.
-The end C, of the lever A1, B1, C1, then raises by means of its rod, the suction
valve N, so that the pump K then ceases to operate, starting again as soon as the
pressure upon the piston FL¹, has sufficiently decreased. N¹, is a spiral spring serving
to keep the forcing valve o, upon its seat. To the main shaft T is fixed the helicoidal
wheel figures 2 and 7, gearing with the wheel K¹, imparting motion to the
pinion g¹, by means of the horizontal shaft -R is the pin of the crank R. S.
Figure S is a vertical section of the recuperator through the main axis or pivot E E of
the beam. Figure 9 is a vertical section of the recuperator taken on a line parallel to
the length of the beam and passing through the centre of the preceding section.
n, is an opening through which enter into the recuperator the products which have
escaped from the cylinder, these products circulate in their descending motion around
the tubes which they serve to heat; o, o¹, inlet openings of the recuperator serving
one for cold air and the other for cold gas.
p³, is an escape outlet for the products of combustion after they have heated the
pipes of the recuperator.
7', ', are bifurcated pipes one of which conveys heated air to each admission
valve y, y, and, the other conveys heated gas.
,, are metal pipes fixed at both their ends to the tube plates 1, s. Figure 9
shews two series of such pipes, the air becoming heated in one series and gas in
another previous to reaching the inlet opening. The mixture of air and gas is
prevented from taking place as these two fluids enter into or issue from the
recuperator by partitions, 1, ensuring the tube plates s¹, s¹, being air tight.
², is a coating of plaster or sand arranged around the recuperator between two
sheet iron casings or jackets and serving to protect the recuperator from the cold
outer air.
¹, is a partition having for its object to fill up a space in the recuperator which
would exist without it between the two series of tubes.
1:
17
1
Each cams, consists of a cylindrical body P, the convex surface of which is
provided at one part with a protuberance or projection w, a, y, limited on the one
hand by a straight line parallel to the cam shaft and on the other hand by a
helical are w¹, 11. This projection has a convex outer surface having the same axis
as the cams the said convex surface being connected besides with the cylindrical
body P¹ of the cam by the two left hand surfaces of revolution produced by a
straight line remaining constantly in a horizontal plane while moving in the direction
of the directrix ₁₁a on the one hand and in that of the directrix on the
other hand and being in both cases constantly tangential to the cylindrical surface
of the body of the cam. These cams s, s, s, s, are coupled so that the points w¹ of
the projections or inclines shall be the extremities of radii forming in two different
planes an angle of 180 degrees; the circular groove is formed in the upper part
of the double cam which serves to effect the admission of gas and in the lower part
of the double cam which effects the admission of air. As regards the former cam,
this groove is provided with a collar connected to that of the governor W by two
vertical rods so that the said governor when operating may impart to the double cam
for the admission of gas a vertical motion along the shaft W X having a square
horizontal section N¹, which motion causes the admission of gas to cease sooner or
later. Figure 20 is a section on the axis of the igniting device and figure 21 is a plan
of the same. g, h, represent the body of the igniting device consisting of a
cylindrical tube g, h, the external part of which is screw-threaded so as to be
fixed to the external part of the motor cylinders B, B and one end 1.11 of which
forms a six sided head provided internally with a screw thread 1 securing a double
cock to which are conveyed simultaneously, compressed air on the one hand and
compressed gas on the other, proceeding from the two vessels. mem are iron wires
which, owing to their conductibility for heat, limit the combustion within the
cylindrical part where the platinum spirals are placed. small iron cylinder
screw threaded outwardly in such a manner that the outside diameter of the screw-

page_text: thread is equal to the internal diameter of the pipe g" ". The air and gas reaching
the double cock separately but simultaneously wherein they become intimately mixed,
pass through the group of iron wires m¹¹ whence the combustible mixture circulates
within the convolutions forming the screw thread of the cylinder n so that the speed
of the gaseous current entering the chamber gl wherein are placed the platinum
spirals shall be sufficiently decreased to render combustion easy. "o" are spirals of
iridiated platinum which are maintained at a red hot temperature while the igniting
device is in operation; " " are iridiated platinum wires or pins in which engage
the spirals o
A pipe provided with a cock or a valve establishes a communication between the top
of the air vessel with the lower part o' of the series of air tubes of the recuperator
figures 8 and 9. This recuperator is arranged in a vertical position in a pit, its lower
part being at a considerably lower level than the bed plate of the engine. The heated
air issues from the upper part of the air tubes of the recuperator through two pipes
each provided with a retaining valve preventing the air from re-entering the
recuperator and each pipe conveys the heated air to each admission valve y of the
two motor cylinders. A pipe establishes a communication between the bottom of
the air receiver and the forcing valve case o of the air pump figure 6.
A pipe
provided with a cock or valve establishes a communication between the top of the gas
receiver and the lower part o¹ of the series of gas tubes of the recuperator. The
heated gas issues from the upper part of the gas tubes of the recuperator through
two pipes, each provided with a retaining valve preventing the gases from returning to
the recuperator and each pipe conveys the heated gas to its respective admission valve Y
of the two motor cylinders; another pipe establishes a communication between the
bottom of the gas receiver and the forcing valve case of the gas pump. The case of the
exhaust valve N of the air pump communicates freely with the atmosphere. A pipe
establishes a communication between the case of the valve N of the gas pump and the
opening at which gas is taken from the gas producer. A pipe ejects into the atmosphere
the tepid escaping products coming from the bottom of the recuperator. Pipes lead
from the air and gas receiver to the double cock of each igniting device in order to
feed the latter with compressed air and gas; these pipes are each provided with a
retaining valve preventing the escaping fluid from returning to the receiver. The two
receivers, one for the air and the other for gas, are each provided with a manometer
and safety valves, as well as with a water level at their lower part. The water which is
at the lower part of the air receiver feeds a small channel (not shown) in the air pump
by means of a pipe having a cock and leading from the bottom of the vessel to the said
channel. In a similar manner the water situated at the bottom of the gas receiver
feeds the channel (not shewn) of the gas pump by means of a pipe provided with a
cock. The water is also conveyed from the bottom of each receiver into the jacket q¹¹.
of each motor cylinder by means of two pipes provided with cocks. The jackets
g", q, qq are each provided with a manometer and a safety valve as well as with
an outlet pipe furnished with a cock for the steam which, after having been super-
heated, feeds the injector of the gas producer.
11.
In order to start the engine, each safety valve, such as d¹¹ of the motor cylinders, is
raised by means of a lever (not shown), the cocks conveying air and gas to each
igniting device are opened and an ignited body is brought in close proximity to
the safety valve d. The two cocks or valves admitting air and gas at the bottom of
the recuperator are then simultaneously opened and the safety valves are immediately
shut, the cocks supplying water to the small channels being subsequently opened. The
gas used is supplied from one of the two apparatus hereinafter described.
Figure 22 is a vertical section on the axis of the gas generator or producer and on
that of the injector; figure 23 is a horizontal section on the line A³ ³ of figure 22.
C³ D³ E³ F³, C3 D³ E3 F3 fire place of ganister refractory bricks or other suitable heat
resisting refractory material; G³ G³ is the fuel and H³ H³ a movable grate; K³ is the
ash box; L³ ³ is a door allowing the grate to be cleaned; M³ N³ 1³ ³, M³ N³ L³ 0³
is the base or support of the gas producer; P3 P3 annular channel or space in which
the cinders carried away by the liberated gas are deposited. This annular channel is

page_text: provided at its lower part with a few self-closing openings (not shown) allowing the
deposit formed therein to be removed from time to time. q³ Q ³ y ³ Q 7 ³ Q ³ ³ Q³
represent an arrangement of metallic tubes through which passes the gas produced
before reaching the space P3 P3. These tubes may form one or several circular rows
and may be made of iron, sheet steel, red copper, brass or cast iron, or they may
be covered with a thin layer of any of the well known infusible and unalterable enamels
in order to prevent them from being deteriorated. R³ R³ are openings or in some
cases free spaces allowing the outside air to enter, and to circulate in its ascending
motion around the tubes Q3 by which it is heated; S³ S³ are openings or in some
cases free spaces enabling heated air to be conveyed to the annular space :
U V X represent a channel for the hot air drawn into the space ST3 by the injector
and forced into the ash box K³; Y³ is an injector for super-heated steam; Z³ is a tube
in which steam is injected in order to produce a draft of hot air; a³ is the ash box
door N³, 3, N³, and e³ ³ ³ sand or other suitable substance being a non conductor of
heat ³ ³ ³ represent a double sheet iron jacket surrounding a gas producer and
fixed at the top and at the hottom by means of angle irons. Between these two jackets
are placed the tubes q³ ³ ³ ea ea represent the outer sheet iron jacket of the gas
producer; f f f represent a coil or metal pipe (preferably of iron) serving to
produce and superheat the water steam injected into the gas produces. The introduction
of a thin jet of water or of steam is effected without pressure at the upper part of
the coil and the superheated steam arrives at the bottom of the injector Y³: X³ g³
represent the rod of the injector terminated on the left hand side by a needle and on
the right hand side by a fly wheel serving to regulate the injection; ³ ³ ³ ³ represent
a cast or sheet iron cylinder or casing forcing the gas produced to circulate around the
coil previous to reaching the space and thence in the pipes Q3 93; 13 1³ the upper cover
of the gas producer proper; m³ a cock (which can be replaced by a valve) serving to
place the gas producer during the ignition in communication with the flue arranged at n.
This cock is closed while the gas producer is in operation. ³represent a mouth or
funnel serving to receive the supply of fuel; s³ is a door closing the mouth of the
furnace 33 represent a movable cast iron cone or plug closing the lower part of
the mouth of the gas producer; u³ ³ a rod passing through the stuffing box u³ and
allowing the cone or plug ³ ³ ³ to be raised or lowered by means of a lever (not
shewn) to which this rod is jointed; N³ N3 N³ figure 23 foundry sand contained in the
base of the gas producer; P3 P3 P3 an annular space wherein ashes or cinders are
deposited ; V³ is a hot air inlet; W³ is the opening for the supply of the gas produced;
a' is a door allowing the grate to be cleaned; a' b¹3, a's b¹3 a cleaning out opening.
The object of the hereinafter described recuperating and smoke consuming gas
producer is the rapid, continuous and economical conversion of any suitable fuel,
but particularly of coal, into gas which is brought to an ordinary temperature and
rendered as rich as possible in combustible matter besides being thoroughly freed from
tar and ammonia.
3
;
31
Figure 24 is a vertical section of this gas producer on the line A' D² of figure 25
which is a horizontal section of the same taken on the lines A² B' and CD2 of
figure 24; figure 26 is a transverse vertical section on the line E' F' of figure 25.
This improved gas producer consists of a closed hearth or fire place formed of
refractory material such for example as bricks surrounded by a metallic casing serving
to render the fire place gas tight that is to say to cut off all communication between it
and the exterior. The column of fuel is supported at the bottom by a grating E², and
the fuel is fed through a neck or pipe F, G, provided with a cover 2, fitting accurately
the upper edge of the said neck which is hermetically closed at the bottom by a cone
or plug G capable of being raised or lowered by incans of a lever (not shewn) jointed
to the rod H. The cone or plug being raised, the lid is opened in order to introduce
the fuel in the space F, G, formed between the lid or cover and the cone or plug; the
lid or cover is then closed and the plug is lowered to allow the fuel to descend. In its
descent the fuel forms a column gradually reaching as far as I', so that the coal
accumulated in the part I, J, does not burn and is only heated to a very small extent,
simply serving for storage and causing a regular and continuous amount of fresh fuel

page_text: to be fed as the column J K², sinks in consequence of the combustion taking place
therein.
The combustion of the column of coal E³, K2, J', is simultaneously effected at the
bottom and at the top. For this purpose air and steam both in a highly superheated
state enter at the same time; firstly, into the ash box I, closed by the door M², in
order to pass through the grate E³, and burn while ascending the column E, K²;
secondly, into the annular space N2, N2, and thence through the flues or inclined
openings 0, 0, into the upper part of the column of coal J, K2, which burns in its
turn under the action of the descending gaseous current. In order to burn the
column JK, it is necessary to decrease the proportion of steam relatively to the air,
when the fuel used yields abundant products in the course of distillation, such as rich
coal for instance. The gases formed are conveyed into the annular space P2, P2, while
ascending through the inclined flues Q, Q. From this annular space P2, P², they
pass into a steam boiler R2, R2, where the high temperature of these gases is utilized
for the production of water steam and for superheating the same, this superheating
operation being effected in the upper part of the tubes which projects above the
level S, of the water in the boiler. The heat still retained by the gas after this first
operation is used for heating the air which serves to promote combustion in the upper
and lower parts of the gas producer. For this purpose the gases on issuing from the
boiler tubes R2, R2, enter the upper part of the tubes of a reheater or recuperator T², T²,
composed of a set of tubes through which descend the gases which gradually become
cooled whilst the cold air drawn from the outside through the opening U², comes into
contact with the outer surface of the tubes and ascends and becoming methodically
and gradually heated for entering the upper circular space V2,
conveyed through the pipes V2, X2², Y², V2, X2, N2, to the ash box 12 and to the
annular space N2, N2. Two cones or plugs Z and W, one of which is raised while
the other is lowered, allow the cooled gas to escape either into the chimney or fluc in
order to fire the gas producer or into apparatus for utilizing the said gas.
whence it is
The superheated steam produced by the boiler R2, R2, may be employed in two
ways for drawing the cold air through the opening U2, videlicet :-
1. This steam is injected through a small pipe placed in the centre of the
opening U. The section of the end opening of this injector pipe can he varied by
means of a conical pin introduced therein and propelled forward or backward by
hand, as will be well understood without further description. A mixture of equal
parts of superheated steam and air then enters the ash box L, and the annular
space N, N. This arrangement is suitable for fuel yielding small products when
subjected to distillation.
2. The said steam is simultaneously injected at a², and at 62, by two injectors with
needles fixed hermetically at the two above mentioned points. In this case the two
injectors cause hot air to be drawn in, which air has been drawn in at U2, and has
become heated in the recuperator T², T. Much less steam can besides be injected
at a², relatively to the amount of hot air drawn in that is injected at 62; this is suitable
as above mentioned in the case of fuel yielding abundant products when subjected to
distillation. It is obvious that the heated gases issuing from the annular space or
channel P, P, may be conveyed first into the recuperator T2, T2, and then into the
boiler R2, R², instead of travelling in the reverse direction as above described. Self
closing openings arranged on the periphery of the annular spaces or channels N2, N2,
and P, P, opposite the flues O*, 0%, and Q, Q2, enable the same to be cleaned. The
doors, serve for the same purpose.
The boiler R2, R2, is provided with ordinary safety and indicating apparatus. This
gas producer is capable of consuming its own smoke owing to the products of the
distillation carried on at J2, traversing the column J, K2, of incandescent fuel which
decomposes the tar and the ammonia contained therein. The use of hot air for
effecting the combustion raises to a maximum the yield of gases in combustible matter
since it allows the largest possible quantity of steam to be decomposed.
The above described gas producer is smoke consuming and produces in a con-
tinuous and regular manner combustible gases freed from tar and ammonia and the
0

page_text: a specific gravity below 1. I will assume the most unfavorable conditions and adopt
1 kilog. 3 for the weight of a cubic metre of mixture.
X. It is also the composition of the inflammable mixture which determines the
specific heat of the residuum from the combustion. Let it be supposed that this
calorific capacity equals 0.25 which is evidently too high and consequently a dis-
advantageous number.
XI. The heat required per horse power and per hour is according to the above:
1,2 x 3.371 x 0.25 x 798 = 874 calories.
1
XII. An average fuel having a calorific power of 8000 calories per kilogramme
being treated in this improved gas producer will produce a gas the combustion of
which will develop 8000 x 0,9 = 7200 calories. Therefore it is necessary to consume
874
theoretically per horse power and per hour a weight of fuel equal to 7200
0.121.
XIII. By taking 0.70 as a co-efficient of useful effect for the motor, the consumption
0.121
0.70
per effective horse power and per hour becomes
= 0**.173.
XIV. The preceding calculations allow of determining without difficulty the
dimensions required to construct one of these improved machines of fixed power and
it will be found that the volume, the weight and the cost of a motor of this class are
respectively less with equal power than the corresponding items of a steam engine.
The improved motor can be fed not only with the gas supplied by the herein
described gas producers but also with lighting gas, petroleum vapour, hydrogen non
nitrogenous mixtures of hydrogen and carbonic oxide known as water gas, carbonic
oxide alone and generally with all combustible gases or vapours.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The mode of combustion consisting in burning simultaneously at the top and at
the bottom the mass of fuel contained in a gas producer the result of such mode being
that the gases issue or are drawn from the central portion of the layer of fuel.
2. The storage of fresh fuel in the upper part of a gas producer the said fuel only
distilling to any notable extent in proportion as it descends in the upper combustion
zone and thus continuously and regularly feeding the gas producer with fuel yet
unacted upon which ensures a constant composition of the gases produced.
3. The cooling of the gases produced by utilizing their heat for the production of
superheated steam and for highly heating the air causing combustion to take place in
the gas producer.
4. The improved apparatus for generating gas for motors herein before described
represented in the accompanying drawings.
5. The improved motor hereinbefore described and represented in the accompanying
drawings.