GB190920920A - Improvements in Rotary Engines, Pumps and the like. - Google Patents

Abstract

20,920. McCulloch, J. M. Sept. 13. Fixed-abutment type; valve-gear.-Relates to rotary engines of the fixed-abutment type with pistons having outwardly-sliding reversible vanes. A cylindrical drum 3 is mounted eccentrically in a cylinder 2 and contacts with the latter at a point between the alternative inlets 20, 21. Steam passes through three quadrants of the cylinder from the inlet to an exhaust port 24 or 25. The vanes 8 are so spaced around the drum that steam is cut off from the chambers very shortly after they commence to increase in volume. The exhaust ports, which are virtually extended towards the rotating vanes by the recesses 24<x>, 25<x>, are disposed so that exhaust takes place at a point beyond that where the chambers begin to decrease in volume. After a chamber has passed the exhaust port, it still continues to contract and the steam contained therein is compressed sufficiently to prevent any leakage of steam from the inlet past the point of contact of the drum and cylinder. The vanes are linked together by a pair of rings 11 which fit in slots formed in the sides of the inner parts of the vanes. The rings are provided with spring packing-rings on both inner and outer surfaces to ensure close and resilient fitting in the vane slots. The rings are in rolling contact with inwardly-turned flanges on the drum. The engine is reversed by means of a slide valve 22. An engine similarly constructed but with inlet and outlet ports for running in one direction only can be used as a pump or blower, or as a meter.