Improvements in and connected with Combined Reciprocating and Rotary Engines.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Combined Reciprocating and
Rotary Engines.
We, ANTON SPRINGER of Kasten in the German Empire, Engineer, and
JOHANN ULLRICH of Neulenbach also in the German Empire, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
This invention relates to steam and other fluid pressure engines which have
rotating cylinders.
We will describe our improvements with reference to the accompanying drawings
in each of the figures of which similar parts or details are denoted by similar letters
of reference.
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a simple form of the engine shewn in sectional side elevation.
Figure 2 is a front view of the same engine partly in section.
The figure
Figure 3 represents a modification of the construction represented by Figures 1
and 2, there being four of the rotating cylinders instead of two.
represents a front view with the cylinders in section.
Figure 4 is a sectional front view shewing a modification of the construction
illustrated by Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a further modification of a two
cylinder engine.
Figures to 10 inclusive are sections through the passages valves and ports
through which the driving fluid is admitted and exhausted.
The engine illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 consists essentially of the stand or
support a to which the horizontal spindle b is fitted. This spindle may be arranged
to rotate or it may be fixed. If fixed, the toothed wheel dis also fixed upon the
spindle b. If on the contrary, the spindle is free to rotate in its bearing in the
stand a, then the spur
wheel is firmly secured to the fixed part of the frame so
that it cannot rotate. The fixed spur wheel d gears with a second similar wheel e
mounted upon the end of the spindle f through which it is driven. This spindle
has its journal in a bearing formed in the strengthened part y of the arm or spoke c
of the wheel c. The other end of the spindle f is provided with a crank which
is connected with the piston rod of the piston i which moves in the open topped
cylinder k. Below the cylinder k and in line with it there is a second cylinder k
which is also open topped and which contains the piston & firmly connected to the
piston i in the cylinder k by means of the stiff rods 1. The connection of the two
pistons is effected in such a manner that the piston i is in its lowest position, or
nearest to the axis of the engine when the opposite piston is in its highest position
or furthest from the axis.
The steam or other fluid is admitted to the engine through the port n and an
opening m formed in the bottom of the cylinder. From the construction it will
be obvious that the operating fluid can gain admittance to the under side of the
piston in the cylinder only when the inlet m is in communication with the port n,
and that during the rotation of the engine, steam will be admitted to the cylinders
alternately, there being an opening in the lower part of the cylinder k¹
precisely corresponding with that in the bottom of the cylinder k. Diametrically
opposite to the inlet port n there is an exhaust port n' which communicates with

page_text: the openings in the bottom of the cylinders during their rotation. Thus once for
each revolution, the interior of the cylinder will be open to the admission and to
the exhaust.
The action of the engine is as follows:-The engine being in the position repre-
sented by Figures 1 and 2 steam finds its way through the port n and opening m
below the piston i which is then lifted with its piston rod h and turns the crank f.
The motion of the crank rotates the wheel e, but this wheel being in gear with the
fixed wheel d, cannot cause the latter to rotate, and consequently the engine is
rotated around the spindle b. The cylinder k then comes to the position formerly
occupied by the cylinder k¹ and the steam or fluid in escapes through n' whilst
live steam or fluid is admitted to the second cylinder k in its turn. Constant
rotation is effected by the succession of these motions. The engine may if desired
be arranged to work expansively by a suitable construction and arrangement of the
ports n n and the openings m m¹ as will be obvious to engineers.
This arrangement very simple and convenient and permits the engine to be
readily taken to pieces for any necessary repairs, and it also reduces the wear and
tear to a minimum.
The modification represented by Figures 3 and 4 is essentially the same as that
shewn by Figures 1 and 2, the difference being that two of the duplex cylinders
and pistons are employed. In this modified construction, with a suitable arrange-
ment of the pistons, the trouble which may be occasioned by dead points is avoided.
The further arrangements and action of this modification do not require any
description.
In the arrangement illustrated by Figure 4, the only difference to that illustrated
by Figure 3 is that instead of the duplex cylinders and pistons, four independent
cylinders and pistons are employed, and consequently also four of the cranks f¹ and
four wheels e.
The diagrammatic Figure 5 shews a somewhat different modification in the
arrangement of the cylinders. In this arrangement, the cylinders instead of being
arranged radially, as in the other types described, are arranged parallel with each
other or they may be at an angle to each other as may be convenient. The steam
may be admitted and exhausted through the tubes pp', the construction of the ports
and passages being as before described.
Figures 6 to 10 inclusive represent details of the admission and exhaust passages
and ports in the spindle b, and do not require any further description than that already
herein before given. It may however be explained that if the spindle 6 rotates
with the wheel c, the cylinders would require to be fixed upon the wheel, and the
spindle would require to be cut through vertically. The admission and exhaust
passages would then have to be located in the fixed piece or pieces b¹ which may be
called a detached fixed prolongation of the spindle.
The wheel c may be employed for driving by means of suitable belts, or its
periphery may be provided with teeth so as to drive a pinion connected with the
mechanism to be driven by the engine.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
1. A combined reciprocating and rotary engine having a fixed: spur wheel, a
driving wheel or pulley- with which the cylinder or cylinders rotate, and a
secondary wheel or wheels gearing with the fixed spur wheel; constructed
arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated
by the drawings.
es
2. In a combined reciprocating and rotary engine a driving wheel or pulley c
having a bearing or bearings therein for the spindles of the spur wheel or wheels e
substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 3. In a combined reciprocating and rotary engine the construction and arrange-
ment in the spindle of the admission and exhaust ports and passages, substantially
as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of October A.D. 1891.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicants.