Improvements in Reciprocating Car Engines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Reciprocating Car Engines.
I, JOHN MCINTYRE, Engineer, of 460, Ogden Avenue, Jersey City, in the County
of Hudson and State of New Jersey, United States of America, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:---
The invention relates to reciprocating motors for propelling street cars and other
vehicles; and its object is to produce a new and improved car engine which is
simple and durable in construction, not liable to get out of order, and arranged
within a small compass on and between adjacent car axles on a frame between the
sides of the truck frame, and applicable to any truck to transmit rotary motion to
the driving wheels in a very effective and economical manner.
The invention consists of novel features and parts, and combinations of the same,
as will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures.
Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of the improvement, on the line 1-1 of
Figure 2;
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same;
Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of a modified form of the improvement;
and
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the same, on the line 4-1 of Figure 3.
In the construction of the reciprocating car engine, the engine frame A is
wholly supported on adjacent axles B, B' of the car truck, and between the side
frames of said truck. In order to relieve the engine of any jar or jolt, the frame A
is provided with boxes or bearings A¹, fitted to slide vertically in suitable guide-
ways A2 on the frame and supported on springs A³ carried by the frame. The
cylinder C of the engine is preferably bolted to the top of the frame A above the
axles, and the piston D reciprocating in the cylinder is connected by the piston
rod D with the cross head E, fitted to slide on the guideway F, supported by the
inner end of the cylinder and a cross bar A of the frame A. As illustrated in
Figures 1 and 2, the frame A is provided with a cross bar A forming the fulcrum
or the lower end of a rocker arm H connected at its free forked end H by links G, G
with the cross head E. The rocker arm H is connected between its fulcrum and
its free end by a return connecting rod I with a crank arm J, formed on a crank
shaft J, journalled in suitable bearings J2 carried by the links K, K', of which
the link K is pivotally connected to the frame A and the link K' is journalled on
the axle B and extends longitudinally or otherwise and loosely from the axle B
carrying the driving wheel 132. The link K¹ is preferably extended beyond the
shaft J and the extended end K2 is carried by a box K in the frame A, and the
free end is held between springs K carried by the frame. When the box K³ is
used, the link K and the springs K' may be dispensed with: and when the springs
are used the box and the link K may be dispensed with, but all three or either
one of the supports for the bearing may be used.

page_text: On the crank shaft J¹ is secured a gear wheel L, in mesh with a gear wheel L
attached to the axle B, so that when a rocking motion is given to the rocker arm H,
the return connecting rod I and the crank arm J impart a rotary motion to the
said shaft J', which by the gear wheels L, L' transmits a rotary motion to the
axle B and the drive wheel B. As shown, the rocker arm H, connecting rod I,
crank shaft Ji and gear wheel L are located in a very small space between the
axles B and B', the latter carrying the wheels B³.
In the modified form shown in Figures 3 and 4, the frame A carries the
cylinders C and C³ having their piston rods D2 and D³ connected with the cross
heads E2, E3, respectively, fitted to slide on a guideway F2. On the cross heads E
and are arranged vertically disposed guideways E and E, engaged by the
boxes G2 and G³, respectively, carried on the upper end of the rocker arms H2
and H, respectively, fulcrumed on the cross bars A and A8 of the frame A and
lying between the adjacent axles. 13 and B, the axles carrying the wheels B, 137,
respectively. The rocker arms H2 and H are pivotally connected between their
fulcrum and their free ends with the connecting rods 12 and 13 engaging the crank
arms J and J on the crank shafts J and J, journalled in suitable bearings Ko
and K on the frame Aº.
On the crank shafts J and Jo are secured the pinion wheels L2 and L³ in mesh
with the gear wheels L and L5, attached to the axles B', B5, so that when a rock-
ing motion is given to the rocker arms H2 and H³, the return connecting rods I
and I and the cranks arms J³ and J4 impart a rotary motion to the crank shafts J³
and J, which by the gear wheels L2 and L³, L and L5 transmit a rotary motion to
the axles B and 135 and the wheels B6 and B7 to propel the vehicle. Attached to
the pinions L and L3 are the crank pins L and L' embraced by a connecting rod L8
which serves to keep the crank arms J3 and J at the best angle to each other to
start up the car with and to equalize the power to each axle and prevent faster
movement in one axle than in the other.
It is understood that the sliding boxes G2 and G3 in the guideways E and E
in this case take the place of the links G₁ and G2 previously described and shown
in Figures 1 and 2, it being, however, understood that both devices serve to com-
pensate between the sliding cross head and the oscillating end of the rocker arm,
and to materially shorten the longitudinal space required for the motor and to
admit of a shorter wheel base than if the connection from cross head to rocker arm
was forward of the cross head in the usual manner.
By the arrangement described, a reciprocating engine for cars is produced,
directly supported on adjacent axles (and preferably spring supported), having a
long stroke of the piston, and short stroke of the crank having a comparatively
long single ended rocker arm, and a direct rearward connection between the rocker
arm and below the cylinder to a crank shaft, so as to take up very little room, and
to transmit the power in the most direct manner. It is evident that by having
the piston stroke as long as possible and the return of the piston at less frequent
intervals to the clearance space and the dead points, considerable motive power
which would otherwise be wasted in the clearance of the cylinder and the ports
thereof and in turning the dead points, will be saved. This is of great importance
if the device is applied to a car that takes on board its measure of power for a run.
By having a long, single ended rocker arm H1, H2, or H³, less sliding motion
and friction to the cross head connection is the result, and consequently the friction
on the cross head and its guide bars is reduced to a minimum. By extending the
links G and G2 between the cross head and the rocker arm H and on each side of
the unavoidable length space required by the piston rod stuffing box, and also by
connecting the rocker arm to a guideway E, I am enabled to use a shorter wheel
base with the motor in less longitudinal space than if the connection from the
cross head to the rocker arm were forward of the cross head.
Instead of gearing a double engine to one axle, I preferably gear a single engine
to each axle when the length between adjacent axles will permit the necessary move-
ment of the rocker arms in straight line with each other. By this means I am

page_text: enabled to use the same frame and the same piston rod cross head guide bars for
both engines. And by connecting both engines with the side rod L³ or its equiva-
lent, I am enabled to arrange the angle of the respective engine crank arms to
each other to give the benefit of a double engine (with its respective crank arms at
right angles to each other) to start up the car with, and to equalize the power to
each axle, and to prevent one axle moving faster than the other.
In the construction shown in Figures 3 and 4, the springs A for the boxes A¹
are replaced by rubber blocks, and if desired such springs may also be placed on
the underside of the axle; or if desired, the springs may be entirely dispensed
with.
It will be seen that instead of using meshing gear to transmit the motion from
the engine to the axle, sprocket wheels and chains may be used; also that the
return connecting rod I may directly embrace a crank arm formed on the axle, and
instead of the connecting rods I, II and 12 being return connecting they may con-
nect directly with the driving gear or crank arm of the opposite end.
It is understood that the double engine shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be used
on a car truck having the axles B, B₁ illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Any of the
ordinary valve gears are applicable to the engine, and hence no special detail is
shown in this respect. It is noted, however, that the said gear may be carried on
a cross shaft N (see Figure 1) journaled on the engine frame and rotated by a
gear wheel N having the same number of teeth as the gear wheel L and in mesh
with the gear wheel L'.,
It is understood that in the construction set up in Figures 1 and 2 I may also
use two double engines having their piston rod cross head guides in common as
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.
The frame A with its box A' is preferably journaled on the axle end of the
link K as shown in Figure 1.
Instead of both ends of the engine frame being supported on the axle, one end
may be supported on a cross bar of the car truck frame in a manner practically
similar to that of any of the well known methods of supporting electric car motors,
and if the car has a double truck then the said one end of the engine frame may be
supported on the end bars of the truck or other cross piece of the truck and the
said support may be flexible.
I do not limit myself to the special form given to the various parts and the
peculiar arrangement of the parts, as it is evident that some of the parts may be
changed in shape and differently located, without, however, deviating from the
spirit of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A motor car provided with a truck, a motor frame wholly supported on
adjacent axles of the said truck and between the side frames thereof, a motor
mounted in the said frame, a rocker arm pivoted at its lower end on the said frame
and adapted to receive at its upper end a rocking motion from the said motor, and
a driving connection between the middle portion of the said rocker arm and the
car truck axle, the motor, rocker arm and connection being all arranged between
the side frames of the truck, substantially as shown and described.
2. A motor car provided with a truck, a motor frame wholly supported on the
adjacent axle of said truck and approximately midway between the side frames of
the truck, a motor mounted on the said frame, a rocker arm pivoted at its lower end
to the said frame between adjacent axles, the upper end of the rocker arm being
connected with and receiving a rocking motion from the said motor, and an inter-
mediate mechanism between the middle portion of the said rocker arm and one of
the axles of the said truck, for converting the rocking motion of the rocker arm into
a rotary motion at the axle to propel the car, substantially as shown and described.
3. A car motor provided with a truck, a motor frame wholly supported on the

page_text: adjacent axle of said truck and approximately midway between the side frames
of the truck, a motor mounted on the said frame, a rocker arm pivoted at its lower
end to the said frame between adjacent axles, the upper end of the rocker arm being
connected with and receiving a rocking motion from the said motor, and an inter-
mediate mechanism between the middle portion of the said rocker arm and one
of the axles of the said truck, for converting the rocking motion of the rocker arm
into a rotary motion at the axle to propel the car, the said intermediate mechanism
comprising a crank shaft, a pitman for connecting the crank shaft with the rocker
arm, and a driving connection between the crank shaft and the car axles, the
entire intermediate mechanism and rocker arm being arranged between the side
frames of the truck, substantially as shown and described.
4. A car driving gear provided with a rocker arm adapted to receive a rocking
motion from the car motor, and a crank shaft connected with the said rocker arm,
and arranged with the latter between adjacent car axles and the sides of the truck
and below the motor cylinder, and a driving connection between the crank shaft
and the car axles and arranged between the sides of the truck, substantially as
shown and described.
.
5. A car motor provided with a crank arm having a driving connection with the
car axles, a rocker arm adapted to receive its motion from the car motor and extend-
ing between adjacent axles of the car truck, and a return connection between the
said crank arm and said rocker arm between the sides of the truck, substantially
as shown and described.
6. A motor car provided with a driven crank shaft connected with the axles
to be driven and arranged between adjacent axles of the car truck and between the
sides of the truck, and link bearings for the said crank shaft, substantially as
shown and described.
7. A motor car provided with a driven crank shaft connected with the axles to
be driven and arranged between adjacent axles of the car truck, link bearings for
the said crank shaft, and a rocker arm having connection with the said crank shaft,
and actuated from the car motor, the rocker arm being also located between the
car axles and all between the sides of the truck, substantially as shown and
described.
8. A motor car provided with a rocker arm, a crank arm having connection with
the car axles, a return connecting rod pivotally connecting the said rocker arm with
the said crank arm, a reciprocating cross head adapted to be actuated from the
motor cylinder and piston, and a pivotal compensating connection between the said
cross head and the said rocker arm and all between the side frames of the truck,
substantially as shown and described.
9. A car engine comprising a cylinder containing a reciprocating piston, a cross
head mounted to slide and connected with the piston rod of the said piston, a rocker
arm fulcrumed at its lower end on a cross bar, a compensating connection between
the upper free end of said rocker arm and said cross head, a return connecting rod
pivotally connected with the said rocker arm between the fulcrum of the latter
and its free end, and a crank arm connected with the said return connecting rod
and with the car axles to be rotated and all arranged between the side frames of
the car truck, substantially as shown and described.
10. A car engine comprising a cylinder containing a reciprocating piston, a
cross head mounted on the outer end of the piston rod for the said piston, a link
extending from the said cross head rearwardly toward the said cylinder, a rocker
arm fulcrumed at its lower end on a cross bar and pivotally connected at its free
end with said link, a return connecting rod connected with said rocker arm between
the fulcrum of the latter and its free end, and a crank arm connected with said
return connecting rod and the car axles to be rotated and all arranged between the
side frames of the car truck, substantially as shown and described.
11. A car engine comprising a cylinder containing a reciprocating piston, a
cross head mounted to slide and connected with the piston rod of said piston, a
rocker arm fulcrumed at its lower end on a cross bar, a compensating connection

page_text: between the free upper end of the said rocker arm and the said cross head, a return
connecting rod pivotally connected with said rocker arm between the fulcrum of
the latter and its free end, a crank shaft having its crank arm connected with said
connecting rod, and a driving gear for connecting said crank shaft and the car axle
and wheels to be driven and all arranged between the side frames of the car
truck, substantially as shown and described.
12. A car engine comprising a cylinder containing a reciprocating piston, a cross
head mounted to slide and connected with the piston rod of said piston, a rocker
arm fulcrumed at its lower end on a cross bar, a compensating connection between
the free upper end of said rocker arm and said cross head, a return connecting rod
pivotally connected with said rocker arm between the fulcrum of the latter and its.
free end, a crank shaft below the cylinder line, having its crank arm connected
with the said return connecting rod, a bearing for the said crank shaft and formed
by a link suspended from the said cylinder, and a link fulcrumed on the adjacent
car axle, and a driving gear for connecting said crank shaft with the car axle and
wheel to be driven, substantially as shown and described.
13. A motor car provided with a doubled-up engine having its crank shaft
beneath the cylinder, and the engine frame supported on adjacent axles and
located between the side frames of the truck, substantially as shown and described.
14. A motor car provided with a reciprocating car engine having its frame sup-
ported on adjacent axles and between the side frames of the truck, and a single
ended rocker arm fulcrumed on a cross bar of the said engine frame, substantially
as shown and described.
15. A motor car provided with a reciprocating engine having its frame journaled
and spring-supported on the axle of the car and between the side frames of the car
truck, and a single-ended rocker arm pivotally and compensatingly connected
with its free end to the cross head of said engine, and all located between the side
frames of the car truck, substantially as shown and described.
16. The combination, with a car truck, of a reciprocating car engine having
its frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck, a crank journaled in bear-
ings in said frame, a single ended rocker arm fulcrumed on a cross bar on said
frame between the axles, return links for pivotally connecting the free end of the
rocker arm to the piston rod cross head, and a return connection between the rocker
arm and the said crank arm below the cylinder line of the engine and all arranged
between the side frames of the car truck, substantially as shown and described.
17. A car engine provided with a link bearing journaled at one end to the axle
and the bearing of the engine frame and the other end to a crank shaft the said
link bearing being also pivotally supported on a sliding box in a guideway of the
engine frame, substantially as shown and described.
18. The combination, with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having their
frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side frames
of the truck and the piston rod cross heads operating between the said engines,
substantially as shown and described.
19. The combination, with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having their
frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side frames of
the truck, the piston rod cross head guides being common to each other on and
between the engine cylinders, substantially as shown and described.
20. The combination, with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having
their frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side
frames of the truck, the engines being provided with single ended rocker arms
fulcrumed on cross bars of the said frame and having their free ends pivotally
connected with the piston rod cross heads, substantially as shown and described.
21. The combination, with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having
their frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side
frames of the truck, the engines being provided with single ended rocker arms
fulcrumed on cross bars of the said frame and having their free ends pivotally con-

page_text: .
nected with the piston rod cross heads, the said rocker arms oscillating between
the cylinders and adjacent car axles, substantially as shown and described.
22. The combination with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having
their frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side
frames of the truck, the engines being provided with rocker arms, crank arms con-
nected with the axles, and return connections between the rocker arms and the
crank arms and all arranged between the side frames of the car truck, substantially
as shown and described.
23. The combination with a car truck, of two reciprocating engines having their
frame supported on adjacent axles of the car truck and between the side frames of
the truck, the engines being provided with rocker arms, crank shafts connected
with the axles, return connections between the rocker arms and the crank shaft,
and a connecting rod pivotally connecting the said crank shafts with each other
all being arranged between the side frames and adjacent axles, of the car truck,
substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 9th day of January 1899
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.