IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM GASES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugène Barsanti; Professor of Physics and Mathematics,
and Felix Matteucci, Gentleman, both of Florence, in the Grand Duchy of
Tuscany, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE
POWER FROM GASES."
Sealed the 1st December 1857, and dated the 12th June 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugène Barsanti and Felix
Marteucci at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition,.
on the 12th June 1857.
We, EUGENE BARSANTI, Professor of Physics and Mathematics, and FELIX
MATTEUCCI, Gentlemen, both of Florence, in the. Grand Duchy of Tuscany, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM GASES," to be as follows:
This Invention of improved. apparatus for obtaining motive power from gases
relates to the means of obtaining motive power derived from the explosive force of
a mixture of atmospheric air and hydrogen, or any other inflaminable gas. The
explosion of the inixed gases is effected by, means. of an electric spark applied to
the under part of a piston working in a cylinder.
.… . . .
The following are the. two plans we prefer. to employ for carrying out our
Invention, although the. same. may be variously inodified according to cir-
cumstances.... 1. i
According to the first plan we avail ourselves of the vacuum/produced underneath..
the piston by the explosion, and in this case it is simply atmospheric pressure acting
upon the outer surface of the working piston which communicates the: requisite
inotion thereto in one direction, the return stroke being effected by the piston rod,
which is specially arranged and constructed for the purpose. When this mode of
actuating the pistons is. adopted, it is preferred to employ two cylinders in which the
pistons are made to operate; alternately by exploding gases in the two cylinders
alternately.

page_text: According to the second arrangement the force of the explosion and the vacuum
produced are both utilized, the one force being made to act on one side of the piston,
and the other force on the opposite side. In this case the pistons and their cylinders
differ but slightly from those ordinarily employed in steain engines as regards their
construction and the mode of operating them.
In both these arrangements. the mixture of the gases is effected inside the
cylinder by means of a suitable arrangement of apparatus, the air being introduced
direct from the atmosphere, and the gas from a gasometer at a given pressure.
It will of course be understood that after every discharge or explosion of the
mixed gases in the cylinder the products generated by the explosion must be
disposed of so as to prevent the apparatus from clogging up..
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Eugène Barsanti and Felix Matteucci in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 12th December 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME we EUGENE
BARSANTI Professor of Physics and Mathematics and FELIX MATTEUCCI
Gentlemen both of Florence in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany send greeting
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters
Pátent bearing date the Eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven in the twentieth year of Her reign
did for Herself Her heirs and successors give and grant unto us the said Eugene
Barsanti and Felix Matteucci Her special license that we the said Eugene
Barsanti and Felix Matteucci our executors administrators and assigns or such
others as we the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci our executors
administrators and assigns should at any time agree with and no others from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed should
and lawfully might make use exercise and vend within the United Kingdom of
great Britain and Ireland the Channel Islands and Isle of Man an Invention for
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM GASES" upon the
condition (amongst others) that we the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci
by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals or under the hand and
seal of one of us should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same was to be performed and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent. NOW KNOW YE that we
the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci do hereby declare the nature of our
said Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement reference being had

page_text: to the Drawings hereunto annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon
(that is to say)
This Invention of improved apparatus for obtaining motive power from gases.
relates to the means of obtaining motive power from the explosive force of a
mixture of atmospheric air and hydrogen or any other inflammable gas The
explosion of the mixed gases is effected by means of an electric spark applied to
the under part of a piston working in a cylinder.
The following are the two plans we prefer to employ for carrying out our
Invention although the same inay be variously modified according to circum-
stances.
According to the first plan we avail ourselves of the vacuum produced underneath
the piston by the explosion and in this case it is simply atmospheric pressure
acting upon the outer surface of the working piston which communicates the
requisite motion thereto in one direction, the return stroke being effected by the
piston rod which is specially arranged and constructed for the purpose. When
this mode of actuating the pistons is adopted it is preferred to employ two
cylinders in which the pistons are made to operate alternately by exploding gases
in the two cylinders alternately.
According to the second arrangement the force of the explosion and the vacuum
produced are both utilized the one force being made to act on one side of the
piston and the other force on the opposite side. In this case the pistons and their
cylinders differ but slightly from those ordinarily employed in steam engines as
regards their construction and the mode of operating them."
In both these arrangements the mixture of the gases is effected inside the
cylinder by means of a suitable arrangement of apparatus the air being introduced
direct from the atmosphere and the gas from a gasometer at a given pressure.
will of course be understood that after every discharge or explosion of the mixed
gases in the cylinder the products generated by the explosion must be disposed of
so as to prevent the apparatus from clogging up.
The several Figures in the accompanying Drawings represent various views of
the principal working parts of an engine constructed according to the first
arrangement above referred to the framing and other well known parts being
omitted. Fig. 1 is a plan or bird's-eye view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 represents a
section taken in the line 1. . 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of
Fig. 2 drawn to a scale of twice the size; Fig. 4 is a front or end view of the
cylinder; Fig. 5 represents the apparatus for producing the electric spark. Similar
letters indicate like parts in all these figures.
A B C D indicate one of the cylinders of the engine which is generally
intended to have two. The cylinder is open at one end as seen in Fig. 2 and is
closed at the other way by a cover A B bolted thereto and which is provided with
two valves a, a, opening outwards. This cylinder is divided into two unequal parts
the amaliest of which ax (Fig. 2) is intended for the working of the piston.
This chamber is surrounded with a jacket filled with water for the purpose of
preventing it from attaining too high a temperature; P is a large elastic piston
the rod P of which has a rack formed on it and has a crosshead at its outer
extremity for the purpose of guiding its motion and stopping it when the piston.
bas arrived at the end of its stroke. R (Figs 2 and 4) is a toothed wheel taking
into the rack on the piston rod P*. This wheel R is mounted loosely on the
shaft E F and turns freely thereon during the down stroke of the piston, but the
wheel R carries a click which takes into the teeth of a ratchet wheel R" (Fig. 2)
keyed on the shaft E F by which meaus this latter will be caused to rotate during
the return stroke of the piston. P is a small piston the office of which is to draw
in the charge of gas which is to be exploded and also to clear the small chamber of
the products of combustion; this piston will in the following description be
distinguished by the name of the "counter piston."
The apparatus intended for the production of the electric spark which is to fire
the charge is represented at Fig. 5. It is composed of a small cylindrical circuit

page_text: breaker E which is caused to turn continuously and rub against the end of a steel
spring when the engine is in operation by means of an endless band or cord b
passing from a pulley on the shaft E F to another pulley on the shaft of the
cylinder E. To the outer extremity of this shaft (which is insulated) is attached
one of the poles of a Bunsen's battery furnished with a De la Rive's multiplier;
the other pole of the battery must only be brought into communication with the
cylinder when the electric spark is required to set fire to the explosive mixture.
b is a slide valve adapted to the small chamber of the cylinder for the purpose of
regulating the introduction of atmospheric air and of bydrogen or other inflammable
gas which is drawn from a gasometer maintained at a determined pressure. This
slide valve box is made to communicate with the chamber by three openings or
ways dei (see the enlarged view Fig. 3) and the cover of the valve is provided
with two other openings o u the first of which o serves to draw in the air and
the second serves for the introduction of the gas; it is provided with a metallic
pipe communicating with the gasometer by means of an india-rubber or flexible pipe.
LM (Fig. 1) is a cross bar or crosshead to which a reciprocating motion is
communicated by means of two connecting rods L¹ M¹ driven by two excentrics
which receive their motion from two toothed wheels L M that are driven by
pinionsm mounted on the shaft E F. Through the crosshead L M passes the
rod of the counter piston P₁ to which it communicates motion after making at
the commencement of each stroke an independent movement equal to about
one-third of its useful motion. These movements are so timed that the return
stroke of the counter piston cannot take place until the piston P has arrived at its
starting point. is a rod attached at right angles to the counter piston rod and
serves to actuate the slide valve b and also to close the electric circuit when the
charge is introduced for which purpose it is made to bear upon a piece soldered to
one of the poles of the battery.
The operation of the engine is as follows:-Suppose the main piston P to be at
reat and the counter piston P nearly in contact with it the opening of the slide
valve opposite the opening o of the valve box cover and the opening or way i
open as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3; on communicating motion to the fly wheel of
the main shaft E F the crosshead L M will descend and carry with it (after the
first independent motion above mentioned) the counter piston P which will draw
in atmospheric air until the arm b of the piston rod acting upon the slide valve
closes the air-way o and opens the way u for the introduction of the gas which
rushes in until the slide valve by passing onwards closes that passage and opens
the way d below. When the slide valve has reached this point the electric circuit
will be closed or completed by the arm b¹ and a series of electric sparks will be
produced which will effect the explosion of the mixture of gases contained in the
cylinder, and by this means the piston P will be driven forward with a force equivalent
to the power of the explosive force to overcome the pressure of the atmosphere; when
the explosive force is expended the atmospheric pressure will act upon the back of
the piston in a contrary direction in consequence of the vacuum formed in
the cylinder by the explosion, the shaft E F and its accessories again receiving
motion during the return stroke (but remaining stationary during the forward
stroke) the counter piston P" being then again set in action will force out the
products of combustion through the exit openings until it closes the opening e; the
arm b will then again act upon the slide valve until it assumes its starting
position; and during this movement a small portion of the products of combustion
which bad remained between the two pistons is driven out into the atmosphere
through the passages i and o. The return stroke of the piston now again takes
place, a fresh charge is drawn in above the counter piston and the products of
combustion which remained behind it are compressed and driven off through the
valves a, a, at the bottom. The introduction of the charges and their explosion
and discharge thus takes place successively and if the fly wheel be of suitable size.
and weight the engine will soon acquire a uniform motion even although provided
with but one cylinder, but in order to obtain a continuous and powerful motion

page_text: it would be found necessary to employ two cylinders and pistons the racks on the
rods of which should act alternately upon the same shaft.
The Figures in Sheet II. represent another arrangement which possesses the
advantage of greater simplicity of construction and rapidity of action for which reason
it is more especially adapted to single cylinder engines Fig. G is a longitudinal
section taken through the cylinder-Fig. 7 an outside view taken at right angles to
Fig. 6-Fig. 8 is a detached view of the slide valve arrangement and Fig. 9 an
end view of the cylinder and its accessories. The piston and its rack and the wheel
which gears therewith the ratchet wheel and the electric apparatus only differ from
the former arrangement inasmuch as the piston is not arrested below the chamber
but continues its course to the end of the cylinder in order to drive out the products
of combustion on its return stroke, and also to draw in the charge of inflammable
gases during its forward course thus dispensing with the counter piston and
its appendages. These effects are produced by the following arrangement of
parts The rack of the piston rod is provided with two tappets m. n. (Fig. 6)
and the shaft E. carries a cam . which when the piston has arrived nearly at
the end of the cylinder acts upon the tappet m. and drives the piston home.
A toothed wheel R. mounted on the same shaft as the cam k. and revolving
therewith gears into another wheel R¹. of equal diameter and which carries
another cam . this latter revolves therefore in a contrary direction to that of
the cam k. The position of these cams is so arranged that when the cam k. leaves
the tappet m. the cam k'. will drive the piston in a contrary direction by means of
the tappet n. a fresh charge of explosive gases will then be drawn in and set
fire to during the last movement of the slide valve. In this arrangement the
slide valve instead of being a D valve is made straight with two openings
corresponding to those in the valve box and cylinder. When the piston during its
return stroke has closed the opening e for the introduction of the gas the slide
valve will begin to act in the same direction and after the first opening of the
slide valve has passed beyond the opening e. it opens the exit apertures for the
escape of the products of combustion. On the piston moving in the contrary
direction air is drawn in through the entrance openings until they are closed by
the slide valve. The piston then opens the way e. and the opening in the slide
valve again coming opposite to it gas is drawn in until the apertures are closed.
All these movements of the slide valve are operated by means of two cams c. c¹.
(shewn by red lines in Fig. 6) mounted upon the same shafts as those above
mentioned and which act upon tappets s. 1. nounted upon a rod working in guides
and to which the slide valve rod is attached.
In this arrangement the electric circuit is closed by the end of the valve rod
coming in contact with a piece soldered to one of the poles of the battery. In a
double cylinder engine the above arrangement may be modified by substituting for
the shafts which carry the cams . a beam which has its fulcrum between the two
cylinders and has motion communicated to it by the pistons alternately so that
one piston in descending shall raise the other one which has just descended to the
bottom of the cylinder thus dispensing with the cams . In this case the
valve rods would be worked by the arms of the beam. In all these arrange-
ments the power of the engine may be regulated in the same manner as that of a
steam engine by means of a cock adapted to the supply pipe leading from the
gasometer and in the case of a stationary engine we adapt thereto a regulator
acting upon the supply valve.
When applying this Invention to a locomotive engine as it is intended to supply
the place of two double action (or high-pressure) cylinders, four cylinders must be
employed one on each of two pairs of driving wheels the main shafts being made
to drive these wheels by means of connecting rods or gearing combined in such a
manner as to change the direction of rotation by means of clutches. In order to
supply gas to the locomotive a reservoir is adapted to the tender which is supplied
from gasometers situate at the several stations with a sufficient quantity of gas (at
a pressure of several atmospheres) to last until the end of the journey or until the

page_text: engine arrives at the next station; the gas before being supplied to work the
engine passes through a gasometer placed between the reservoir and the feed pipe
by which means it is supplied to the cylinders at a uniform pressure of one
atmosphere. This gasometer which we call a regulator communicates with the
gas reservoir by means of a metal pipe and on the other side with the engine by
means of an india-rubber pipe. On the upper part of the gasometer is placed a
small cylinder open at both ends in which a piston works, the rod of which is con-
nected to one end of a lever arm the other arm of which works a slide valve
which cuts off communication with the reservoir when the pressure of the gas
diminishes. The pressure of the gas in the gasometer is increased or diminished by
means of a small weight which causes an increase or diminution of pressure
according to whether it be placed on the piston rod or the valve rod.
By slightly modifying this improved engine the direct action of the explosion
may be utilized for various useful purposes where a percussive force is required.
If it is desired for instance to break stones for excavating a tunnel or to work a
forge hammer the chisel or haminer may be adapted to the extremity of the piston
rod or any other suitable tool may be applied thereto according to the nature of
the work required to be performed in this case the only office which the rotating
shaft of the engine will have to perform will be to work the supply of the mixed
gases to the cylinder and the discharge therefrom of the products of. combustion.
Having now described our Invention of improved apparatus for obtaining
motive power from gases and having explained the manner of carrying the same
into effect we would observe that we do not mean or intend to confine ourselves
rigidly to the precise arrangement or construction of parts herein shewn and
described as they may doubtless be varied without departing from the nature and
object of our Invention.
In conclusion we claim as the Invention which we desire to secure to ourselves
by Letters Patent as aforesaid the mode or modes herein shewn and described, or
any mere modification thereof, for obtaining motive power from gases.
In witness whereof we the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci
have hereunto set our hands and seals the Third day of December in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
I hereby attest the foregoing signatures.
British Legation, Florence, December 3d 1857,
H. G. MACDONELL,
Attaché.
EUGENE BARSANTI. (L.S.)
FELIX MATTEUCCI.
(L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugène Barsanti, Professor of Physics and Mathe-
matics, and Felix Matteucci, Gentleman, both of Florence, in tho
Grand Duchy of Tuscany, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS
Sealed the 1st December 1857, and dated the 12th June 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugène Barsanti and
Felix Marteucci at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
their Petition, on tho 12th Juno 1857.
We, EUGENE BARSANTI, Professor of Physics and Mathematics, and
FELIX MATTEUCCI, Gentleman, both of Florence, in the Grand Duchy of
Tuscany, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER PROM GASES," to be as follows':-
This Invention of improved apparatus for obtaining motive power from
gases relates to the means of obtaining motive power dorived from tho
explosive force of a mixture of atmospheric air and hydrogen, or any
other inflammable gas. The explosion" of the mixed gases is effected by
means of an electric spark applied to tho under part of a piston working
in a cylinder.
"
i
The following are the two plans we prefer to employ for carrying out our

page_text: Invention, although the same may be variously modified according to
circumstances.
According to the first plan we avail ourselves of the vacuum produced
underneath the piston by the explosion, and in this case it is simply atmo-
spheric pressure acting upon the outer surface of the working piston which
communicates the requisito motion thereto in one direction, the return stroko
being effected by the piston rod, which is specially arranged and constructed
for the purpose. When this mode of actuating the pistons is adopted it is
preferred to employ two cylinders in which the pistons aro mado to operato
alternately by exploding gases in the two cylinders alternately.
According to the second arrangement the force of the explosion and the
vacuum produced are both utilized, the one forco being made to act on one
side of the piston, and the other force on the opposite side. In this case tho
pistons and their cylinders differ but slightly from those ordinarily employed
in steam engines as regards their construction and the mode of operating
them.
In both these arrangements the mixture of the gases is effected inside the
cylinder by means of a suitable arrangement of apparatus, the air being
introduced direct from the atmosphere, and the gas from a gasometer at a
given pressuro.
It will of course be understood that after every dischargo or explosion of
the mixed gases in the cylinder the products generated by the explosion
must be disposed of so as to prevent the apparatus from clogging up.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Eugèno Barsanti and Felix Matteucci in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 12th December 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, EUGENE
BARSANTI, Professor of Physics and Mathematics, and FELIX MATTEUCCI,
Gentleman, both of Florence, in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, send greeting.
WHEREAS er most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eloventh day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-soven, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors, give and grant unto us,
the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci, Her special license that we,
the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci, our executors, administrators,

page_text: and assigns, or such others as we, the said Eugeno Barsanti and Felix
Matteucci, our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM GASES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that we, the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci,
by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand
and scal of ono of us, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed..
and cause. the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent. Office within.
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to bo performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto.
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thercon (that is to say):-
This Invention of improved apparatus for obtaining motive power from
gases relates to the means of obtaining motive power from the explosivo
forco of a mixture of atmospheric air and hydrogen, or any other inflaminable
gas. Tho explosion of the mixed gases is effected by means of an electric
spark applied to the under part of a piston working in a cylinder.
The following are the two plans we prefer to employ for carrying out
our Invention, although the same may be variously modified according to
circumstances. According to the first plan wo avail ourselves of the
vacuum produced underneath tho piston by the explosion, and in this
case it is simply atmospheric pressure acting upon the outer surface of tho
working piston, which communicates tho requisito motion thereto in ono
direction, the return stroke being effected by the piston rod, which is specially
arranged and constructed for the purpose.
When this mode of actuating tho
pistons is adopted it is preferred to employ two cylinders in which tho pistons
aro made to operato alternately, by exploding gases in the two cylinders
alternately.
:
According to the second arrangement the force of the explosion and the
vacuum produced are both utilized, the one force being made to act on one.
side of the piston, and the other force on the opposito side. In this case tlie

page_text: pistons and their cylinders differ but slightly from those ordinarily employed in
steam engines as regards their construction and the mode of operating them...
In both these arrangements the mixture of the gases is effected inside the
cylinder by means of a suitable arrangement of apparatus, the air being.
introduced direct from the atmosphere, and the gas from a gasometer at a
given pressure. It will of course be understood that after every discharge or
explosion of the mixed gases in the cylinder the products generated by the.
explosion must be disposed of so as to prevent the apparatus from clogging up.
The several Figures in the accompanying Drawings represent various views
of the principal working parts of an engine constructed according to the first
arrangement above referred to, the framing and other well-known parts being
omitted: Fig. 1 is a plan or bird's-eye view of the apparatus; Fig. 2 repre-
sents a section taken in the line 1...2, of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of
a portion of Fig. 2 drawn to a scale of twice the size; Fig. 4 is a front or end
view of the cylinder; Fig. 5 represents the apparatus for producing the
electric spark; similar letters indicate like parts in all theso Figures.
A, B, C, D, indicate one of the cylinders of the engine; which is generally
intended to have two. This cylinder is open at one end, as seen in Fig. 2,
and is closed at the other by a cover A, B, bolted thereto, and which is pro-
vided with two valves a a opening outwards. This cylinder is divided into
two unequal parts, the smallest of which u, v, s, x (Fig. 2), is intended for
the working of the piston. This chamber is surrounded with a jacket filled
with water for the purpose of preventing it from attaining too high a tem-
perature. P is a large elastic piston, the rod P* of which has a rack formed
on it, and has a crosshead at its outer extremity for the purpose of guiding its
motion, and stopping it when the piston has arrived at the end of its stroke. R
(Figs. 2 and 4) is a toothed wheel taking into the rack on the piston rod P
This wheel R is mounted loosely on the shaft E, F, and turns freely thereon
during the down, stroke of the piston; but the wheel R carries a click which
takes into the teeth of a ratchet wheel R" (Fig. 2), keyed on the shaft E, F,
by which means this latter will be caused to rotate during the return stroke of
the piston. P is a small piston, the office of which is to draw in the charge
of gas which is to be exploded; and also to clear the small chamber of the
products of combustion; this piston will in the following description be
distinguished by the name of the "counter piston."
The apparatus intended for the production of the electric spark which is to
fire the charge is represented at Fig. 5. It is composed of a small cylindrical
circuit breaker E', which is caused to turn continuously, and rub against the

page_text: end of a steel spring when the engine is in operation by means of an endless
band or cord passing from a pulley on the shaft E, F, to another pulley on
the, shaft of the cylinder E. To the outer extremity of this shaft (which is
insulated) is attached one of the poles of a Bunsen's battery, furnished with a
De la Rive's multiplier; the other pole of the battery must only be brought
into communication with the cylinder when the electric spark is required to set
fire to the explosivo mixture. is a slide valve adapted to the small chamber of
the cylinder, for the purpose of regulating the introduction of atmospheric air
and of hydrogen, or other inflammable gas, which is drawn from a gasometer,
maintained at a determined pressure. This slido valve box is made to
communicate with the chamber by three openings or ways d, e, i (see tho
enlarged view, Fig. 3), and the cover of the valve is provided with two other
openings o, u, the first of which o serves to draw in the air, and the second
serves for the introduction of the gas; it is provided with a metallic pipo
communicating with the gasometer by means of an india-rubber or flexible
pipe. L, M, (Fig. 1,) is a cross bar or crossl:cad, to which a reciprocating
motion is communicated by means of two connecting rods L', M', driven by
two excentrics, which receive their motion from two toothed wheels L", M",
that are driven by pinion l, m, mounted on the shaft E, F. Through the cross-
head L, M, passes the rod of the counter piston P", to which it communicates
motion, after making at the commencement of cach, stroke an independent
movement equal to about one-third of its useful motion. These movements
are so timed that the return stroke of the counter piston cannot take place
until the piston P has arrived at its starting point. is a rod attached at
right angles to the counter piston rod, and serves to actuate the slide valve b,
and also to close the electric circuit when the charge is introduced, for which
purpose it is made to bear upon a piece soldered to one of the poles of the
battery.
:
.
The operation of the engine is as follows:-Suppose the main piston P to
be at rest, and the counter piston P" nearly in contact with it, the opening of
the slide valve opposite the opening o of the valve box cover, and the opening
or way i, open as shewn in Figs. 2 and 3, on communicating motion to tho
fly wheel of the main shaft E, F, the crosshead L, M, will descend and carry
with it (after the first independent motion above mentioned) the counter
piston P", which will draw in atmospheric air until the arm of the piston
rod acting upon the slide valve closes the air-way o and opens the way u for
the introduction of the gas, which rushes in until the slide valve by passing
onwards closes that passage and opens the way d.below.. When the slide valve

page_text: has reached this point the electric circuit will be closed or completed by the
arm b', and a series of electric sparks will be produced which will effect the
explosion of the mixture of gases contained in the cylinder, and by this means
the piston I will be driven forward with a force equivalent to the power of the
explosive force to overcome tho pressure of the atmosphere; when the explo-
sive force is expended the atmospheric pressure will act upon the back of the
piston in a contrary direction; and in consequence of the vacuum formed in
the cylinder by the explosion the shaft E, F, and its accessories again receiving
motion during the return stroke (but remaining stationary during the forward
stroke), the counter piston P2 being then again set in action, will force out
the products of combustion through the exit openings until it closes tho
opening e, the arm will then again act upon the slide valve until it assumes
its starting position, and during this movement a small portion of the products
of combustion, which had remained between the two pistons, is driven out into
the atmosphere through the passages i and o. The return stroke of the piston
now again takes place, a fresh charge is drawn in above the counter piston,
and the products of combustion which remained behind it are compressed and
driven off through the valves a, a, at the bottom. The introduction of the
charges and their explosion and discharge thus tako place successively, and
if the fly wheel bo of suitable size and weight the engine will soon acquire a
uniform motion, even although provided with but one cylinder; but in order
to obtain a continuous and powerful motion it would be found necessary to
employ two cylinders and pistons, the racks on the rods of which should act
alternately upon the same shaft.
Tho Figures in Sheet II. represent another arrangement, which possesses
the advantage of greater simplicity of construction and rapidity of action, for
which reason it is more especially adapted to single cylinder engines. Fig. 6
is a longitudinal section, taken through the cylinder; Fig. 7, an outside view,
taken at right angles to Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a detached view of the slide valve
arrangement; and Fig. 9 an end view of the cylinder and its accessories.
The piston and its rack, and the wheel which gears therewith the ratchet
wheel and the electric apparatus, only differ from the former arrangement
inasmuch as the piston is not arrested below the chamber, but continues its
course to the end of the cylinder, in order to drive out the products of com
bustion on its return stroke, and also to draw in the charge of inflammable
gases during its forward course, thus dispensing with the counter piston and
its appendages. These effects are produced by the following arrangement o
parts-The rack of the piston rod is provided with two tappets m, n (Fig. 6)

page_text: and the shaft E carries a cam k, which, when the piston has arrived nearly at
the end of the cylinder, acts upon the tappet m and drives the piston home.
A toothed wheel R, mounted on the samo shaft as the cam k, and revolving
therewith, gears into another wheel R of equal diameter, and which carries
another cam ; this latter revolves therefore in a contrary direction to that of
the cam k.
The position of these cams is so arranged, that when tho cam & leaves tho
tappet m, the cam will drive the piston in a contrary direction by means of
the tappet n; a fresh charge of explosive gases will then be drawn in and set
fire to during the last movement of the slido valve. In this arrangement tho
slido valve, instead of being a D valve, is mado straight, with two openings
corresponding to those in the valve box and cylinder. When the piston
during its return stroke has closed the opening e for the introduction of the
gas, the slide valve will begin to act in the same direction, and after the first
opening of the slide valve has passed beyond the opening e, it opens the exit
apertures for the escape of the products of combustion; on the piston moving
in the contrary direction, air is drawn in through the entrance openings until
they are closed by the slide valve; the piston then opens the way e, and tho
opening in the slide valve again coming opposite to it, gas is drawn in until
the apertures are closed. All these movements of the slide valve are operated
by nicans of two cams c, c' (shewn by red lines in Fig. 6), mounted upon
the same shafts as those above mentioned, and which act upon tappets s, t,
mounted upon a rod working in guides, and to which the slide valvo rod is
attached.
.
In this arrangement the electric circuit is closed by the end of the valve
rod coming in contact with a piece soldered to one of the poles of the
battery.
In a double cylinder engine the abovo arrangement may be modified by
substituting for the shafts which carry the cams ka beam which has its
fulcrum between the two cylinders, and has motion communicated to it by the
pistons alternately, so that one piston in. descending shall raise the other ono
which has just descended to the bottom of the cylinder, thus dispensing with
the cams . In this case the valve rods would be worked by the arms of tho
beam.
In all these arrangements the power of the engine may be regulated in the
same manner as that of a steam engine, y means of a cock adapted to tho
supply pipe leading from the gasometer; and in the case of a stationary engino
we adapt thereto a regulator acting upon the supply valve.

page_text: When applying this Invention to a locomotive engine, as it is intended to
supply tho place of two double action (or high-pressure) cylinders, four
cylinders must be employed, one on each of two pairs of driving wheels, the
main shafts being made to drivo these wheels by means of connecting rods or
gearing combined in such a manner as to change the direction of rotation by
means of clutches.
In order to supply gas to the locomotive, a reservoir is adapted to the
tender, which is supplied from gasometers situate at the several stations with
a suflicient quantity of gas (at a pressure of several atmospheres) to last until
the end of the journey, or until the engine arrives at the next station; the gas
before being supplied to work the engine passes through a gasometer placed
between the reservoir and the feed pipe, by which means it is supplied to tho
cylinders at a uniform pressure of one atmosphere. This gasometer, which wo
call a regulator, communicates with the gas reservoir by means of a metal
pipe, and on the other side with the engine by means of an india-rubber pipe.
On the upper part of the gasometer is placed a small cylinder, open at both
ends, in which a piston works, the rod of which is connected to one end of a
lever arm, the other arm of which works a slide valve, which cuts off com-
munication with the reservoir when the pressure of the gas diminishes. Tho
pressure of the gas in the gasometer is increased or diminished by means of a
small weight, which causes an increase or diminution of
pressure, according to
whether it be placed on the piston rod or the valve rod.
By slightly modifying this improved engine, the direct action of the explosion
may be utilized for various useful purposes where a percussive force is required.
If it be desired, for instance, to break stones for excavating a tunnel, or to
work a forge hammer, the chisel or hammer may be adapted to the extremity:
of the piston rod, or any other suitable tool may be applied thereto according
to the nature of the work required to be performed. In this case the only
office which the rotating shaft of the engine will have to perform will be to
work the supply of the mixed gases to the cylinder, and the discharge there-
from of the products of combustion.
Having now described our invention of improved apparatus for obtaining
motive power from gases, and having explained the manner of carrying the
same into effect, wo would observe, that we do not mean or intend to confine
ourselves rigidly to the preciso arrangement or construction of parts herein
shewn and described, as they may doubtless be varied without departing from
the nature and object of our Invention.
In conclusion, we claim as the, Invention which we desire to secure to

page_text: ourselves by Letters Patent, as aforesaid, the mode or modes herein shewn
and described, or any mere modification thercof, for obtaining motive power
from gases.
In witness whereof, we, the said Eugene Barsanti and Felix Matteucci,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, tho Third day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
EUGENE BARSANTI. (L.s.)
FELIX MATTEUCCI.
(L.s.)
I hereby attest the foregoing signatures.
British Legation, Florence, December 3d, 1857,
H. G. MACDONELL,
Attaché.