Improvements in Rotary Engines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1897--Accepted, 6th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rotary Engines.
We, EBER BLAKE TREE, of 622 Princess Street, in the Town of Woodstock,
in the County of Oxford, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Insurance Agent,
and ROBERT HENRY ELDON, of 343 Clinton Street, in the City of Toronto, in the
County of York, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, School Teacher, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
specification:
Our invention relates to improvements in Rotary Engines and the object of the
invention is to design a simple, easily controlled, noiseless and economic form of
rotary engine in which there will be no back pressure, which may be run at a
very high rate of speed with little wear or tear and in which the expansion of the
steam may be used as advantageously if not more so than in the ordinary recipro-
cating engine and it consists essentially in the novel construction and arrange-
ment of the parts hereinafter described and more particularly set forth in the
claims.
!
Fig. 1, is a perspective view of my rotary engine with one side of the casing
partially in section to exhibit the interior construction.
Fig. 2, is a vertical cross section.
Fig. 3, is a longitudinal vertical section.
Fig. 4, is a detail showing the means of packing the slots through which the
wing pistons extend.
Fig. 5, is a perspective detail of the concentric packing rings.
In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each
figure.
A is the main shaft, which has secured to its inner end the disc B. C is the
outer disc plate of the casing and c is the bushing secured to the casing through
which the shaft extends. C is the plate at the opposite side, which is provided
with a central hollow projecting portion el having a central tapered aperture ²
through which extends the tapered end c³ of the stud C³, which has a crank shaped
end C, the pin of which I designate c. The pin of course is eccentric to the shaft.
The stud C is secured in position by a nut c³, which is screwed on to the threaded
reduced end.
B₁ is the ring piston, which preferably forms part of the disc B and B is the
disc on the opposite side thereof to the disc B. The hub of the disc B is keyed
to the shaft A and the hub of the disc B2 revolves upon the stud (".
62 is an annular projection on the disc B2, which fits into a corresponding recess
in the end of the ring piston B, and thereby forms a steam tight joint between
the disc and piston. The disc B is bolted to the ring piston so that the piston
rotates with it. The lower portion of the ring piston in Fig. 3, is shown in dotted
lines as one of the wings hereinafter described is centrally located.
D is the central portion of the casing, which is secured to the disc plates by
bolts d. It will be noticed that the inner side discs B and B are separated

page_text: '
slightly from the central portion D and that the outer sides of the discs B and B2
are separated from the discs C and C¹. D' is the bed-plate, which forms part of
the central portion 1) of the casing and D2 is a chamber formed beneath the central
portion of the casing and provided with ports at each end. D³ is the exhaust
port, which is formed of a series of tubular holes arranged in alignment. By
making the exhaust ports in this form I am enabled to preserve the concentric
interior of the chamber D. The chamber D is concentric to the pin with the
exception at the top where it has a slight depression into which the ring
piston fits.
Gare
G are split packing rings triangular in cross section, which fit into corresponding
recesses in the central portion D at the edge of the concentric chamber. D.
Gare correspondingly formed split packing rings located peripherally circum-
ferentially outside of the packing rings G and in corresponding recesses.
manilla packing rings located in the inside of the packing rings G. G³ are
compression rings (see Figs. 2 and 3) located in the inside of the manilla packing
rings G2 and compressibly held against the manilla packing rings G2 by the
springs g².
195
It will thus be seen that a perfectly steam. tight joint is provided around the
edges of the chamber 14 between the central portion D and the rotatable discs B
and B2.
Hare wings provided with inwardly extending arms which are journalled
on the pin as indicated. The wings extend through cross slots in the
rollers H, such rollers extending through apertures 133 in the ring piston B¹ into
recesses 63 and 6 in the discs B and B respectively. h2 are two holes which
extend through the rollers H being open on the edge of the slot h, such holes
being filled with manilla, so as to render the slot through which the wings pass
steam tight. The concentric faces of the apertures 13 through which the
rollers H extend are provided at each side with manilla packings B', which are
held against the rollers H by the wedge blocks B5 (see Fig. 4). The outer ends
of the recesses 6 and 64 into which the rollers H' extend are closed and made
steam tight by the screw caps b³.
The outer and side edges of the wings H are packed by the L-shaped packing
blocks, which extend along each side and to the centre of the outer edge of each
wing H where they are bevelled as shown. A wedge block E fits between the
centre ends. In the inside of the L-shaped packing blocks is situated manilla
packing E2, which is compressibly held against the outer L-shaped packing
blocks by the inner spring held L-shaped compression strips E. The wedge
block E is held so as to force the L-shaped blocks E outwardly by the cross
strip E compressed by one of the springs E.
It will thus be seen that the edges of the wings H contacting with the discs B2
and inner periphery of the chamber D' are rendered steam tight.
J is a packing block extending across the centre of the recess d³ and J¹ is a
manilla packing block situated above the packing block J and J2 is a compression
strip located above the manilla packing. The packing block J is made in two
parts separated by the wedge-shaped block J. The strip J2 is made in two parts
separated by the plate J4, which is pressed by the springs j', so as to provide a
wedging action to take up the wear of the two parts of the block J¹, which it will
be noticed on reference to Fig. 3, abut at the outside the side packing rings G
and G¹.
I, are ports, which lead from the central aperture I preferably tapered from
end to end and located in the upper portion of the casing above the packing J,
to points in the concentric chamber D on each side of the upper portion of the
ring piston B. The aperture I¹ is provided with a valve plug I having a cut-off
partition substantially U-shaped in cross section and a central longitudinal
opening 13 leading to the open end of the aperture I', which communicates around
the edge of the disc B and by the passage-way at the bottom with the exhaust.
K is a steam chest secured at the top to the centre portion D of the casing.
4

page_text: A is the steam port, which is separated from the chest by the partition K². kis
the valve port in the partition K and ¹ is the inlet port leading from the top of
the valve chest into the steam port. is the steam pipe leading into the steam
chest. L is the valve rod, which derives its upward and downward movement
through the ordinary link motion and eccentrics, which it is not necessary
describe. It is sufficient to say that the valve rod extends through the upper end
of the steam chest and is provided with a plate at the lower end having a port 4.
The steam port is ordinarily closed by the cock >.
to
t
M is a handle, which is connected to the end of the valve plug I¹ extends
through a slot in the casing and is designed to reverse the valve by swinging
such handle upwardly and thus reverse the direction of rotation of the engine
as will be understood from what is described hereinafter. At the same time the
handle M would come in contact with the lower end of the bell-crank N, which is
connected by the bar n to the link and such link will be thrown over into the
position shown in dotted lines, thus providing for the proper working of the valve
for reversing.
As hereinbefore described I preferably provide three wings H.
In starting
the engine I turn on the cock 15 so as to permit of the steam to pass from the
chest through the steam inlet port A, port K¹, passage-way 2 into the valve
chamber I', whence it passes through the passage-way I against the right wing H
in the position shown in the drawing. The eccentric will now be so arranged on
the shaft that the valve rod L would pass upwardly opening the valve port k and
permitting the steam to pass from the steam chest through the port K¹ and
passage-way 2, valve aperture I¹ and port I against the next succeeding wing.
The cock may be at any time closed after once the engine is started.
eccentric is so timed that the steam is admitted through the port K¹ during a
small part of the distance traversed by the wing from the position shown in the
drawing to the position of the wing shown above the exhaust port, and the
expansion of the steam thus admitted would take place to drive such wing
the remaining portion of the distance to above the exhaust port, thus utilising to the
greatest possible extent the expansive force of the steam.
The
When the valve rod is caused to move downwardly still farther the port * will
come opposite to the port and cause the admission of the steam for the next
succeeding wing when the expansion will take place as before.
:
Upon the valve rod now being caused to rise by the eccentric the lower end of
the valve plate will again uncover the port k and cause the admission of the steam
against the third succeeding wing, thus providing for the admission of the steam
three times during the revolution or once for each wing and utilizing to the
greatest extent possible the expansive force of such steam.
It will also be noticed on reference to Fig. 2, that the surplus exhaust if any
will be carried off through the passage-way opposite to that in which the steam
enters and the central aperture of the tapered plug I2 and around the edges of the
disc B and through the passage-way i.
It will be noticed in the construction of the engine that the wings always rotate
circumferentially within the periphery of and with the steani tight discs Band B.
It will also be seen that practically the same leverage is exerted upon the
wings during the time expansion pressure is used as the area of the wing gradually
increases to the point of exhaust.
During the period of the exhaust as the area presented by the wing is at its
maximum it will be seen that the expansive force of the steam as it exhausts
instead of exerting back pressure upon the wings will give a decided onward
pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:
1
Ja
watain angina
in combination The main driving shaft, the casing, the

page_text: end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite
end disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming
a journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant wings
journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into the
concentric chamber, located within the periphery of the rotating discs, and
designed to rotate with them, suitable ring packing between the inner rotating
discs and the central portion of the casing and suitable inlet and exhaust ports
as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a rotary engine, in combination the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite
end disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming
a journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant wings
journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into the
concentric chamber located within the periphery of the rotating discs and designed
to rotate with them, suitable ring packing between the inner rotating discs and
the central portion of the casing, a suitable upper inlet port, and an exhaust port
comprising tubular openings arranged in alignment across the centre of the
bottom of the casing and of less diameter than the thickness of the wings as and
for the purpose specified.
3. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc secured to the main shaft and the ring piston forming part thereof, the
stationary stud held in the opposite side of the casing the disc journalled thereon
having an annular projection, the recess in the ring piston to receive
such projection, the crank pin formed on the end of the stationary
stud, a concentric chamber formed at the lower portion of the casing by the
central portion of the casing, the split ring packing wedge-shaped in cross section
between the outer edge of the central portion of the casing and the rotating discs,
the manilla packing supplementing the inner wedge-shaped rings, the compression
rings and springs for exerting a constant tension upon such packing, the wings,
the L-shaped packing blocks at the outer and side edges of the wings, the manilla
packing and L-shaped strips behind such wings, the centre wedge plate and
springs holding such combined packing in position, the rollers provided with
central slots located in the apertures in the disc through which the wings pass and
journalled at the ends in recesses in the discs, the caps for closing such recesses
steam tight, the manilla side packing extending through the rollers on each side
of the slot, the manilla packing on each side of the roller in the ring piston and
wedge blocks for holding such packing in position and a suitable inlet port and
central lower exhaust port as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc secured to the main shaft and the ring piston forming part thereof, the
stationary stud held in the opposite side of the casing, the disc journalled thereon
having an annular projection the recess in the ring piston to receive such pro-
jection, the crank pin formed on the end of the stationary stud, a concentric
chamber formed at the lower portion of the casing by the central portion of the
casing, the split ring packing wedge-shaped in cross section between the outer
edge of the central portion of the casing and the rotating discs, the manilla
packing supplementing the inner wedge-shaped rings, the compression rings
and springs for exerting a constant tension upon such packing the
wings, the L-shaped packing blocks at the outer and side edges of
the wings, the manilla packing and L-shaped strips behind such wings, the centre
wedge plate and springs holding such combined packing in position, the rollers
provided with central slots located in the apertures in the disc through which the
wings pass and journalled at the ends in recesses in the discs, the caps for closing
such recesses steam tight, the manilla side packing extending through the rollers
on each side of the slot, the manilla packing on each side of the roller in the ring

page_text: piston, wedge-blocks for holding such packing in position, a suitable inlet port
and central lower exhaust port, the depression at the top of the concentric chamber
in which the ring piston fits, the divided packing block, the wedge separating
the divided packing block, the manilla packing, the central spring pressed plate
located to the outside of such wedge as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite
end disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming
a journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant piston wings
journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into the
concentric chamber, suitable packing for same, and suitable ring packing between
the inner rotating discs and the central portion of the casing, the ports arranged
on each side of the tangential portion of the ring piston, the central aperture and
valve plug in same provided with a substantially U-shaped partition and central
aperture, a handle for manipulating such plug and an exhaust located at the
centre of the bottom of the casing as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite end
disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming a
journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant wings
journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into the
concentric chamber, suitable packing for same and suitable ring packing between
the inner rotating discs and the central portion of the casing, the ports arranged
on each side of the tangential portion of the ring piston, the central aperture and
valve plug in same provided with a substantially U-shaped partition and central
aperture, a handle for manipulating such plug, an exhaust located at the centre
of the bottom of the casing and a passage-way leading from the space between
the rotating disc and the end disc of the casing into the exhaust as and
purpose specified.
or the
7. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing the
end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite
end disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming
a journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant piston
wings journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into
he concentric chamber, suitable packing for same, and suitable ring packing
between the inner rotating discs and the central portion of the casing, the ports
arranged on each side of the tangential portion of the ring piston, the central
aperture and valve plug in same provided with a substantially U-shaped partition
and central aperture, a handle for manipulating such plug, an exhaust located at
the centre of the bottom of the casing, the steam chest, the steam port, the passage-
way leading from the steam port to the central plug aperture, the valve port, the
valve rod and valve plate with port and means for manipulating the valve plate,
so as to provide free admission of steam upon each revolution as and for the
purpose specified.
8. In a rotary engine, in combination, the main driving shaft, the casing, the
end disc and ring piston secured to the main shaft concentric to it, the opposite
end disc secured to the ring piston, the stationary stud opposite the shaft forming
a journal for such opposite disc, the eccentric crank pin connected to the stud, a
chamber formed in the casing concentric to the pin, three equi-distant piston wings
journalled on the pin and extending through slots in the ring piston into the
concentric chamber, suitable packing for same, and suitable ring packing between
the inner rotating discs and the central portion of the casing, the ports arranged
on each side of the tangential portion of the ring piston, the central aperture and
valve plug in same provided with a substantially U-shaped partition and central

page_text: aperture, a handle for manipulating such plug, an exhaust located at the centre
of the bottom of the casing and the auxiliary steam cock located above the valve
port in the steam inlet port as and for the purpose specified.
9. The combination with the steam inlet port and valve plug and handle
for same, the steam port, the valve rod and valve ports and links and eccentrics,
of a bell crank having the lower end designed to extend over the handle and the
upper end connected by a bar to the Ink as and for the purpose specified.
Dated the 5th day of July 1897.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the 'Applicants.