US1022686A - Gas-engine. - Google Patents

Description

` J. LOPTUS.

GAS ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DB0. 17, 1910.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912 AJE JOHN LOFTUS, OF ALBANY, NEN YRK.

GAS-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 17, 1910. Serial No. 597,750.

To ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JonN Lor'rUs, a citrzen of the United States, residing` at Albany, in the county of Jlbany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Gas-Engines, of which-the followingV isa specification.

My invention/relates to improvements 1nq engines, the primary object being to pro-Vo vide a generally improved internal combustion engine of simple, cheap, and efficient construction, and in which the 'arious parts may be readily removed or disassembled for inspection or repair.

A further object of the invention is to improve the control and exhaust 'alves and ports or passages leading to the power and compression cylinders or chambersas well as to improve the general construction and arrangement of the control and exhaust valves whereby the latter are adapted to be actuated by the operating` fluid.

Generally speaking.,y the invention consists in uniting the power and compression cylinders and pistons in integral structures in axial line with each other, the power cylinder being' of reduced diameter, and the. pistons comprisinga piston shell or trunk consisting of a compression or pump piston and a concentric reduced power or working piston operable in said cylinders and. forming` an annular compression or pump chamber about said power or working` piston and within said compression or pump cylinder.

A still further object of the invention is to provide improved means for regulating the admission of the explosive mixture to the compression or pump cylinder and thence to the explosion chamber of the power cylinder by alternatel)7 operating fluid actuated valves and regulating the How of the explosive mixture or charge to the explosion or ring chamber as well as the exhaust'. from said chamber by and in accordance with the speed of the engine.

With the above mentioned and other ends in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arraim'ement. and combination of parts, hereinafter described, illust ated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the acompanyinoj drawings forming a` part of this specification, the tigure is a central vertical sectional view 01"' a vertical engine constructed in accordance with my invention, taken thro-ugh the improved fluid actuated 'control and exhaust,l

valvechambers and valves thereof.

' The improved engine may be cooledV or water jacketed in any suitable or coi'ivenient manner, the water jacket feature of the engine loeinpomitted for the purpose clearer illustration of the working parts comprised in this invent-ion.

The improved engine comprises a power or working,` cylinder l, and an enlarged conipression or pump cylinder 2, the latter beingextended and forming the main body portion of the engine and mounted upon a crank case or base 3. The crank case forms a suitable oil containing recpptacle 3, in which the crank 4, andadjacent end of the crank or pitman 5, are adapted to pass in `agitatingl the contained lubricantland distributing the same to the adjacent parts in a well known and understood manner. The crank shaft la, is mounted in suitable bearings on the crank case or base 3, and as a means for providing a communication between the interior of the crank case 8 below the piston and the atmosphere so as to avoid the formation of a vacuum in the crank case or base l, one or more vent openings G, connected if desired to upwardly extending' vent pipes C, may be pro vided.

The improved pistons areI preferably formed integral in thc form of a shell trunk or structure as shown, said integral shell or structure comprising a compression or working piston 7, adapted to reciprocate in the power or .vorking cylinder il, and an enlarged concentric compression or pump piston 8,01? larger area adapted to reciprocate in the compression or pump cylinder 2, said power and pump cylinders and pistons forming conjointly an annular` compression and pump chamber 9.

rlhe explosive mixture is adapted to be received into the pump chamber 9, through an induction port or passage l0, provided in the presentinstance with an inlet or conduit. pipe 10a, leading to a suitable carburoter, said conduit pipe being provided` with a check valve ll, of any suitable or desired construction.

As a means for transferring the explosive charge from the compression or pump chamber 9, to the power or explosion chamber of the working cylinder l, as well as regulatingand controlling the admission of the Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

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explosive charge to the latter said chambers are provided with and intersected by suitable ports or passages 12, said passages being provided in the present instance .by means of conduit pipes 12a intersectcd by 'a control valve-chamber 18, formed .within a suitable valve body or chest 111. A fluid acl tuated control valve 15,` is adapted to operate Within the valve-chamber 13, and to be seated upon a valve seat 13a.

As a means for adapting the valve l5, to be moved to its seat by the operating fluid as hereinafter explained, said valve is provided with an extended or sleeve portion 15a, having annular grooves adapted to receive and contain pac ring rings or material, and as a means for adjusting the sensitiveness of the valve in its movement to and from its seat or closed position, a spring 16, is provided, said spring being adapted to be regulated by means of an adjusting bolt 17, said bolt bearing upon one end of the spring and passing out through a valve body cap or cover 18, as shown. f

A check valve19, is preferably provided in the conduit passage 12, intermediate the control valve chamber 13, and compression or pump chamber 9, as a guard against undue back action of the explosive charge or the liability of the combustion or firing of the combustion charge in the tire chamber or space in the power or working cylinder being carried into the chamber 9, in.

ease of failure or improper working of the control valve 15,

As a means for expelling o r exhausting the prpducts of combustion'or exploded gas` from'the working or the power cylinder as well regulating the exhaust, an exhaust port or passage 20, is provided, said exhaust passage being formed by means of an exhaust pipe 20, communicating with an exhaust valve chamber 21, provided with a fluidraetuated exhaust valve 22. The exhaust valve 22 has a piston form similar to the control valve 15, and is adapted to be seated on a valve seat 21a. An exhaust opening 22, and an exhaust base 22a, leading to an exhaust pipe 23 areprovided, and as a means for actuating and closing the control and exhaust valvesl 15, and 22, just prior to the exploding of the explosive charge in the firing space of the power cylinder 1, as well as holding said valves closed during the active working or explosive movement of the power piston, a communicating passq ge is provided leading from the firing chamber portion of the power' cylinder to the control and exhaust valve chambers 13, and 21, said lluid passage being provided in the present instance by means of a common conduit pipe 24, intersecting As a means for opening the exhaust valve 22, at the proper time and at or near the conclusion of the working stroke of the pistens, :i piston plunger member 25, is provided, said plunger member being adapted to reciprocate within a chamber 26, of a cylinder 26a, said piston 25, preferably litting somewhat loosely therein and being adapted to be operated by operating fluid from the power or working cylinder as hereinafter ex-V plained. The piston plunger' member is provided with an arm 25, working through ering or opening of the inlet port or passage 31, leading from the power. cylinder andv formed by means of a conduit pipe 31a.

As a means for regulating the operation of the piston plunger member '25, and valve 22,y in accordance with the speed of the engine, a second conduit pipe 31b is provided (for a slow speed or working of the engine), and the inlet ports 31 of the respective pipes 31a and 31", may be opened or` closed by means of a slide valve 32, operating in a valve chest 32a, said slide valve being provided with a stem 33, adapted to be manually operated in any suitable and convenient manner. An opening 34, in the cylinder'26a leads into the chamber 26 immediately above the piston ring portion of the plunger member 25, so as to prevent the formation of a vacuum or the compression of air or other Huid intermediate the head of the plunger member and the partition plate 28, when said plunger member is operated.

When the working and pump pistons 7, and 8, are traveling upward, the exhaust valve 22, remains open, thus permitting the exploded charge or dead gases ,to be forced' out of the working cylinder while 'a fresh charge is being compressed in the compression cylinder -1, and shortly before the working piston covers the exhaust port 20, the valve 15, suddenly opens and the freshv charge under compressionin the lower or compression cylinder rushes into the work' ing cylinder and charges the same andduring the initial tiow of' the fresh charge the latter drives out. the remaining portion of the spent or dead gases through the exhaust port, and just before the latter is Closed by the working piston. lVlieu the explosion is nii-ade or shortly valre is closed and is moving to reduce pressine and during the dowmvard movement of the compression piston a fresh charge is received in the coin.- pression cylinder and the charge retained therein and compressed by the tension of the spring on the valve l5. The purpose of the valve i5, is to retain the compressed gases or charge in the compression. cylinder until the pistons reach a predetermined point, the pressure in the compression cylinder being regulated by the tension of the spring 16, on the valve l5. Finthermore, as before stated, the area ot' the compression piston is greater than that of the Working piston, vand furthermore, therey is inoreclearanee above the working piston than above the compression piston. lt' both pist,f ns had the saine area and clearance a point would be reached where they would balanee and no barge would be made from the compresi to the working cylinder. reason oif the construction shown and mi the valve l5, is adapted to`be open t at a proper time and when it opens it will Je observed that the explosive charge is under higi pressure and much exceeding that in the working cylinder by reason of the tension ot.' the spring and the relative construction and arrzingement of the parts as above de ilied.

ltvill he 1" served that while the valve 2372, is in the positionshown in the drawings il ope 1s eonnminication between working` cvlinder and the plunger cylinder 26,

through both et the pipes 3l, and 3l, and that when the valve is raised to its elevated -oosition it closes communication through iron pipe 31"-, and opens communication pipe 3l, the valve 32, being d in L when raised the lower o 331'. inwoning deseription, taken in with the accompanying drawings, the operation and advantages of my 4#invention will be readily understood.

i-laving' thus described an embodiment of niv invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters latent isf- I l. Yin a Aras engine, a lpower 'cylinder and ion cylinder, valve chamber a port. leading to the power two ports one leading to the r and the other to the com fable. member mounter between the two .t said first menr znaii'itainingsaid 'fosed position relail a predetermined sa i il coni-pression 'ai nation oi' a stylin-der? l thereafter the exhaust i a .'alve clrniler, a movable member in said the compression piston connjiartnierns, a port leading trom one of er dividino' the latter into two valve said compartments to the power Cylinder, two ports leading from the other compartment one ot said ports connnnnicating with the power cylinder and the other with the compression eylinc and a spring for maintaining said movable member in a closed position until a predetermined pressure is reached in said. compression cylinder.

3. n a gas engine, the combination of a power cylinder and a compression cylinder, a Vvalve chamber, a movabley member in said valve Chamber and dividing the same into two compartments, a port opening into one compartment and leading to the power cylinder, and two ports opening into the other compartment. one port leading to the power cylinder and the other to the comi ression cylinder, said movable member being adapted to close the port leading to the compression cylinder, and means for maintaining the movable member in a closed potion until a predetermined pressure is reached in said compression cylinder.

4e. ln gas engine, a power cylinder and a compression cylinder, a valve chamber, a movable member therein and dividing said chamber into two compartments, said valve chamber being provided with a port leading from one of said compartments tothe power cylinder and two ports leading -from the other compartment, one of' the latter leading to the powercylinder and the other to the com pression cylinder, a spring forvv maintaining;l said movable member 1n a closed position relative to said port leading to said compression cylinder until a predetermined "=ie.=.s1ire is reached in the latter, and mee for regulating the tension of sprin ln a gas engine, a power cylinder, a power piston therein, an exhaust passage leading from the power cylinder, a valve chamber located in said exhaust passage, a movable member in the lvalve chamber adapted to close the exhaust passage and provide a' compartment above it, a port opening into said compartment and leading to the power c vlinder, a secondary cylinder, a piston in said secondary cylinder adapted to actuate said movable member7 and passages leading from the power cylinder to said secondary cylinder and adapted to be controlled by said power piston.

6. :in a engine, a power cylinder, a power piston therein. an exhaust passage leading1 'from said power cylinder and provided with a valve cha ,da movablcinenilier in said valve chamber adapted to close the exhaust passage and provide a conipertinent above it, a pori, loading troni said compartment to the power ovlinder, a secondarj. ej'linsler, a i ton th in and adapted to actuate the movable member in'said valve chamber, two ports leadingl to said secondary cylinder and spaced longitudinally of the power cylinder' and adapted to be controlled by the power piston, and a Valve adapted in one `position to open both of said ports and in the other position to close one of .aid ports and open the other.

7. A `gas engine, comprising` a compression cylinder and a concentric power cylinder oi reduced diameter, a power piston carrying' a compression piston and forming an annular compression chamber within said compression cylinder, a fluid inlet port leading' to said cylinder, a fuel-charge conduit leading from said compression cylinder to said power cylinder, a fiuid control valve located in said fuel-charge conduit, an exhaust conduit leading from said power cylinder, a fluid actuated exhaust valve located in said exhaust conduit, a plunger cylinder, a plunger in said plunger cylinder in `cooperative relation to said exhaust valve,

power cylinder ports leading to said plunger cylinder and adapted to he opened and closed by said power piston, and a power' cylinder conduit leading to said fluid control and exhaust valves and adapted to hold said valves in a closed position While the charge is being compressed.

8. A engine, comprising a compression cylinder and a power cylinder, a power piston and a compression piston operable therein, a Huid inlet yport leading into said compression cylinder, a fuel-Charge conduit leading from said compression cylinder to said power cylinder, a fluid control Valve located in said fuel-charge conduit, an exhaust conduit leadingfrom said powei1 cylinder, a fluid actuated exhaust valve located in said exhaust conduit, a plunger cylinder, a plunger in said plunger cylinder in cooperative relation to said exhaust Valve, power cylinder ports leading to said plun ger cylinder and adapted to be opened and closed by said power piston, and a power cylinder conduitleadingto said fluid control and exhaustvalves and adapted to hold. said Valves in a closed position while the charge is being,` compressed.

In testimony whereof have ailixed my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

JOHN LOFTUS.

Witnesses WALTER B. PALMATIER, FRED A. Weiss.

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