US1239682A - Hydrocarbon-engine. - Google Patents

Description

E. Fz'-GASKELL. HYDROCARBON ENGINE. 'APPLICATIDN FILED SEPT. 6. |5112. IIENEWED FEB. l. 19H.

lPatented Sept. 11,1917.

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E. F. GASKELL.

HYDROCAHBON ENGINE. APPLxcATloN man ssPLs, 1912. neun/En ma. 1.1911.

Patented Sept. ,11, 1917.y

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E. F. GASKELL.

HYDHOCAHBON ENGINE.

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Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

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FIT?" WITNESSES:

E. F. GASKELL.

HYDROCARBON ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJS. 1912. RENEWED FEB. l. 19|?.

1 ,239,682 Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITH/8853.' VENTR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELLSWOBTH F. GASKELL, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO CONRAD G'. GODDARD, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

HYDROCARBON-ENGINE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 11, 1917.

Application led September 6, 1912, Serial No. 718,833. Renewed February 1, 1917. Serial No. 145,998.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELLswoRTH F. GAS- KELL, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hydrocarbon-Engines, of which the followingr is a description.

his invention relates to hydrocarbon engines of the internal combustion type and, while my invention has been designed with special reference to use in aeroplanes, it is adaptable to motor vehicles, motor boats, and stationary plants.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: to provide an internal combustion engine with mechanism and working parts so arranged as to reduce head resistance and wei ht without loss of strength, and without impairing the eiliciency, or detracting from the durability, of said motor when installed in aeroplanes or for other service; to provide an internal combustion engine wherein the operating and moving parts are positive in action in all positions; to provide an internal combustion engine in which the valve is explosively balanced as regards the surface area exposed to pressure; to provide a simple, compact, light and positively-operating mechanism for actuatin the valve, and in which all essential bearing-points are antifrictional; to provide means whereby the valve is rendered continuously7 gas-tight, has little inertia and imposes but s ight load upon the actuating mechanism: to provide means. in an internal combustion engine, producing a symmetrical combustion chamber to which the gas has easy access, and from which it has easy egress. and in which the gas cannot be pocketed: to provide a. construction of internal combustion engine wherein access may be easily had to the combustion chamber, wherein removal of the valve member. piston and connecting rod is easily accomplished-close assembling of the parts is permitted in single or multiple motors, and which permits casting of the frame or housing in units, en bloc, or any desired number; to provide a construction wherein the valve has no contact with the piston at any time. thus eliminating strain upon said valve from the 51de thrust of the piston-rod, and in which the said valve takes up its own wear automatically through the agency of gas-tight mechanism; to provide aA construction whereby the valve has but one gas-tight surface, which is never exposed to the direct flame or intense heat of the explosion, is easily cooled by a surrounding water-jacket, and has but one surface to lubricate; and to provide a simple, light,

`easily constructed and readily assembled In order that my invention may be clearly` understood, I have provided drawings wherein:

Fi re 1 is an elevation of an engine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical section, showindetails of construction;

ig. 3 is a vertical section of the head of the engine showing one position of the parts;

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3, showing another position of the parts;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

F Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 7 is a section similar to Fig. 6, showinganother position of the valve;

ig. 8 is an elevation of the "alve enlarged, parts being broken away to disclose details of construction;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view showing the driving mechanism and the valve, parts being broken away to disclose details;

Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 9, showing valve-sealing mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11--11 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a. view similar a; Fig. s. show.

ing another form of valve-sealing mechamsm.

soV

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my engine is embodied in a frame comprising a crank-case composed of two parts I and 2, securely bolted together, and a combined piston and valve cylinder 3, securely bolted to the part 2 of the crank-case, in the lower part of which the piston 4 reciprocates, and in the upper part of which the valve 5 oscillates in a direction. at an angle to the reciprocations of the piston.

' Surmounting the upper portion of the cylinder 3 is the cylinder-head 6, in the center ofY which is set the sparking-plug 7, electrically operated and connected in the system in any usual manner. Exhaust and inlet ducts 8 and 9 f re bolted to opposite sides of the valve-chamber and lead away there` from to any suitable point below said chamber. On one side, above the exhaust 8, the cylinder is expanded into a housing 10, for the valve-actuating mechanism, and on the opposite side said cylinder is expanded into a similar housing 11, for containing the upper half of the inlet-duct and electrical apparatus or parts, forming the usual accompaniment of hydrocarbon engines. This disposition of parts tends to eliminate condensation of gas as it flows to the cylinders by virtue of the upper half 9L of the inlet-duct being maintained at a comparaf tively high temperature through the Waterjacket to which it is cast, excludes dust and moisture from the valve-actuating mechanism, and permits the entire mechanism and valve-parts to be lubricated as a unit, and operate in a continuous bath of both oil and oil-vapor; in addition, this gives both symmetry and balance to the engine and avoids any tendency toward a lack of equilibrium. The cylinder 3 is provided with a water-jacket 12, surrounding the same, which has its various communicating parts extended around the engine for the circulating fluid, all indicated by the same reference-character 12. A

The piston is of the usual type, closed at its upper end only, and is journaled to the small end of piston-rod 13, inside of said piston at 14. The lower end of the pistonrod 13 is journaled at 15 to the crank 16, in turn journaled in the respective portions 1 and 2 of the crank-case of the frame,`said iournal of the crank 16 constituting the driving-shaft to fr actuated in the usual manner. Bolted to the outside of the member 2, of the frame, is the chain-case 17, the same being suhstantiallv triangular in form and housing the sprocket-chain 18,`

which coperates with the sprocket-wheel 19. secured to one end of the driving-shaft 20, said chain 18 passing about a short shaft 21, which drives the oil-pump and is journaled in the casing 17. and carries the sprocket-wheel 22 and a Worm-gear 23, the latter engaging a Worm-gear 24, carried by the driving mechanism.

the vertical shaft 25, housed by thc tube 26, bolted to the upper part 2 of the crank-case. At the other an le of the frame 17, a sprocket-wheel 2 coperates with the sprocket-chain 18, said wheel being carried by a short shaft, journaled in said case, operating the water-pump and electrical equipment. The upper end of the shaft carries the worm-wheel 28, which coperates with the worm-wheel 29, on a shaft 30, journaled in the housing 10, said shaft carrying a member 31, fixed thereto and having therein a circumferential cam-groove 32, the formation of which is substantially semi-spherical in cross-section to conform to the semi-spherical coperating portion of the anti-frictional follower 33. This follower, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, is a ball operating in a socket 34, retained in the member 35, arranged vertically and journaled,'with anti-frictional roll or plain bearing, at top and'bottom, as at 36, in the housing 10. By this construction, the member 35 coperates with the cam-member 31, with an easy, rolling, anti-frictional engagement, which reduces to the minimum wear and vibration and increases to the maximum balance, quietness and positiveness in operation. The member 35 has clamped on it, below the socket 34, the rear end of a lever 37, which reaches under the cam-member 31, and has, at its forward end, the fork 38, which engages the antifrictional roll 39, carried by the bracket 40, securely attached at 41, t0 the valve 5,

see Figs. 4:, 5 and v9, the heads of the screws being housed by countersinks in the inner surface of the valve. The valve 5, as will be seen in Figs. 3 and 4, rests at its lower end upon the shouldered portion 42, of the cylinder 3, and at its upper end extends between the upper portion` of said cylinder andthe inner end of the cylinder-head 6, the Yclearance 70, allowed between said valve and head, and produced by enlarging the internal diameter of said valve, being sufiicient to permit free movement of the valve without contact against the cylinder-head.

,This clearance also permits pressure from the combustion to reach the upper portion of the valve, resulting in complete pressurebalance of said valve and a steady load on By this arrangement and coperative relation of parts and the construction of actuating mechanism just described, a very simple, strong and positively-operating produced.

Upon reference to Figs. 2, 3 and i1, it will be seen that the lower, inner surface of the valve is reduced or relieved, as at 71, to provide a clearance between the upper end of the piston and said' valve, and it will also be seen that the said piston, in its operation, does not extend above said demession and valve mechanism is that said piston, in its upward movement, stops just short of the lower ends of the inlet and outlet ports 43. By relieving the inner surface of the valve as just descrlbed, the piston is not permitted to contact with said valve and, by limiting the stroke of the piston relatively to the ports, practically all the products of combustion can be swept away by the exhaust and no accumulation thereof can occur in the valve-chamber. Packing-rings 6EL are provided in the cylinder-head and similar rings 4i in the pistonhead for the purpose of making the valve chamber and piston-chamber gas-tight.

Particularly referring to Figs. 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11, the form of valve which I have selected and produced as an embodiment of my invention will be readily understood with the following description: The valve which I have devised is in the form of a cage and may be, in the description and certain of the claims, re erred to as a cagevalve, in which event it will be understood that I mean the particular form of valve shown. The valve is provided with a plu rality of rectangular, circularly-disposed ports 43,-preferably odd in number,ex tending through the body of the cage and lengthwise thereof, these ports being shown as seven in number. Surrounding the top of the valve, in its outer surface, is a groove in which is set an expansible s lit-ring 44,A

with stepped joint 45, the en s of which are permitted to slide relatively as said ring may expand, in answer to the e'ect of heat, without separating at the central table of said step, in the operation of the valve, said ring having a natural tendency to expand itself a short distance beyond the outer surface of the valve and make an unbroken contact with the valve-chamber wall, as shown at Figs. 9 and 10. Below the rin 44 are two expansible rings 46 and 47, eac set within a groove in the outer surface `of the valve, onebeing located above and the other below the ports 43. The joints 48 and 49 of said rings are similar to the joint of ring 44, previously described; and said rings are provided each with a series of recesses or notches into which extend the v upper and lower ends of bearing pieces or packing segments 53, located in grooves provided in the valve, when the parts are assembled, as bestshown in Fig. l0, said bearing pieces being slightly greater in thickness than the rings 46 and 47. The segments are set in said perpendicular grooves and the recesses or notches of said rin so as to make a gas-tight fity on both si e joints of said segments with clearance allowed between the bottom of the notches and ends of the segments to permit expansion due to heat, while the valve is in operation, and allowing l the segments to elongate from that cause without separating from the sides of the rings, thus maintaining a gas-tight joint at this point. Each of the grooves, in which the rings 46 and 47 are set, has its bottom counter-grooved for the reception of a narrower, expansible vsplit- ring 50 and 51, having a diagonal joint 52, and each of these rings operating with a tendenc to bear equally against the segments and old said segments out a short distance beyond the outer surface of the valve, as shown at Figs. 10 and 11, thus maintaining an unbroken contact with the valve-chamber wall. Due to the oreater thickness of segments 53 over that ott' rin s 46 and 47, it will be seen that, when sai rings and segments are bearing against the valve-chamber wall, there vill be a constant clearance in the groove in the valve between the rings 46 and 50, and 47 and 51, which enables each set of rings to perform its separate functions without interference from each other.

An alternative forni of the segmental bearing-pieces is shown in Fig.v 12, this form consisting of the longitudinal body-portion 63,` having at opposite ends the cross-pieces or bars 64. the branches of which extend in opposite directions from the body-portion 63, and each of which branches, at its end, is stepped on its inner edge, as at 6T. The said cross-pieces are either permanently curved to conform to the contour of the valve-chamber, or the material, of which the bearing-pieces are made, is sutliciently flexible to enable said cross-pieces to conform to the contour of said valve-chamber when they are set in position and held out by the expansible rings 60 and 61. The stepped ends of the cross-pieces of adjacent bearing-segments are brought into overlapping relation to each other so that said bearing-pieces will form, through the medium `of their cross-pieces, a continuous bearing surface around the several ports of the valve. Expansion and contraction of the valve will be compensated by clearance 66, between the overlapping ends of the cross-pieces without breaking contact at the central steps of said joints, or forming a gap detrimental to the operation of the cage. Among the advantages of this particular form of bearing are that the number of parts is reduced, thus reducing the cost of construction and increasing ease of manufacture; the cooking of the bearing-pieces or segments is prevented, and any tendency toward leakage or destruction of the parts is prevented, since said bearing-segments cannot catch on the port edges; uniform contact is provided entirely around the valve-cage, and the bearing-segments readily adapt themselves to any distortion of the cylinder; and any possibillty of one segment crowding another is prevented because of the clearance 66 allowed at the ends of the stepped joints; and, owing to lexpansible rings 60 and 6l being in constant contact with the branches of said segments around the entire outer circumference of said rings, the latter will be uniformly cooled indirectly through said segments. i

It will .be seen, from the foregoing description, that a complete gas-tight mechanism has been devised which eiectually seals all sides of the ports from within, as well as from without, in all points of travel of the valve, and all of said gas-tight mech- :mism is arranged, or works constantly, in Contact with the cooled water-jacketed wall of the valvechamber7 and is never subjected to the direct flame or intense heat of combustion. Also, by virtue of said gas-tight mechanism being positively, or forcibly, held against the valve-chamber wall, said mechanism will automatically take up the natural wear as it presents itself and prevent gas leakage at all points.

Viewing Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, it will be seen that the ports of the valve-chamber,- the inlet-ports being indicated at 54, while the exhaust-ports are indicated at 55,--communicate respectively with the inlet land exhaust ducts 9 and 8; and itwill be noted that the inlet and exhaust ports are each three in number and that the same are grouped symmetrically anl equi-distantly on opposite sides of the valve-chamber, and that each of said ports has arrangedradjacent thereto a cooling-chamber, see Figs. 6 and 7. It will also be seen, viewing these figures, that, by reason of the odd number of ports in the valve and even number of ports in the valves chamber, whenkthe valve is oscillated in the valve-chamber the predetermined extent, according to my invention, the three ports on the exhaust-side of the chamber will coins? de with three ports of the valve, while, on the inlet-side of the valve-Chamber, the three ports thereof will be closed by bridges of the valve, and that two of said ports i'n said valve will be closed by frame-portions 56 and 57, this being at the moment of exhaust after combustion in said cylinder,- see particularly Fig. 6. A neutral position of the ports of the valve and valve-chamber is seen in Fig. 7, where all the ports of the chamber and the valve are closed, this being the firing position of the parts, or the osition thereof at the time when combustion takes place in the cylinder for the purpose of actuating the piston. A reverse movement of the valve will bring the parts into position the precise opposite of that shown in Fig. 6, at which time the three inlet-ports of the valve-chamber will register with a corresponding number of inlet-ports in the valve. This will be readily understood when Figs. 6 and 7 are viewed` in connection with Figs. 3 and 4; and it will be realized that` due to each set of ports operating in train and the relative formation of said ports, it requires but-a comparatively short movement of the valve to pass from inlet to neutral position andA from the latter to exhaust position, this comparatively short travel reducing the in ertia of the valve, which inertia is further checked by the natural drag of the segments and rings contained in the valve, all of which economizes the power required to operate said valve. The odd number of ports in the valve is also important in that, according to my invention, 1t preveints any two segments t ereof from being d ametrically opposite, thus avoiding jamming the rings 50, 51, between two segmentsv thus disposed, resulting in equalization of pressure against said segments by rings 50 and 51, reduction in the weight and inertia of the valve, permitting equal expansion ofthe latter and requiring less power to operate the same. By disposing the odd number of ports in the valve and an even number in the valve-chamber, symmetrical disposition of each group of ports in the valve-chamber is provided and the foregoing results occur with positiveness and certainty in operation.

It should be particularly noted that the moving parts of my engi ne are few and that such movements are small, are given posi-.

tively and without undue loss of energy; also that said movements are without excess of friction and with perfect balance of pressure on all exposed sides of the valve. Moreover, by virtue of the cylinder-head extending down only to the top level of the ports and the piston-head rising only to the bottom level of the ports, scavenging is brought to a maximum, resulting in little or no residue or products of combustion remaining in the cylinder. Also, by my mechanism, large and direct gas-passages are produced. together with perfect and centralized combustion. In addition, the movement of the valve is not against pressure within the same, and no greater effort is required to shift the valve at the beginning of exhaust, when there is a terminal pressure remaining in the cylinder, than at the moment of intake, when a minus pressure exists.V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder below said ports; a cylindrical valve confined to oscillating movements and located within said cylinder and extending beyondthe limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the ports 1n .said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; and means for operating said valve.

'2. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper end and having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a valve confined to oscillating movements and cylindrical in form and of greater internal diameter than the diameter of said piston, located within said cylinder, so as to be exposed to the pressure within said cylinder, and said valve extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with the ports 1n said cylinder; a removable head for closing the upper end of said cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

3. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality of supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating insaid cylinder; portions of the cylinder wall between said several ports being hollow so that a cooling fiuid may flow-therethrough; an oscillating cylindrical valve confined to oscillating movements and/located within said cylinder, and extending bevond the limit of upward movement of s aid pistone` said valve having a plurality of supply and of exhaust ports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; and means for operating said valve.

4. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper end and having a plurality of supp'ly and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; portions of the cylinder wall between said several ports being hollow so that a cooling iiuid may flow therethrough; an oscillating valve, cylindrical in form and of greater internal diameter than the diameter of said piston, located within said cylinder, confined to oscillating movements therein, and extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston; said valve having a plurality of supply and of exhaust ports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinder, andthe inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout. its entire circumference; a removable head for lclosing the upper end of said cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

5. In a h drocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality of su ply ports, and a plurality of exhaust ports ocated opposite to said supply ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillating cylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with but greater 1n number than the total of the supply and exhaust ports in the cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

6. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having a plurality of supply ports, and a plurality of exhaust ports located opposite to said supply ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; portions of the cylinder wall between said several ports being hollow so that a cooling fluid may iiow therethrough; an oscillating cylindrical valve located within said c llnder and extending beyond the limit o, upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with but greater in number than the total of the supply and exhaust ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; and means for operating said valve.

7. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder open at its upper end and having supply and exhaust ports located therein; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a valve confined to oscillating movements and ylindrical in form and of greater internal ,v iameter than the diameter of said piston,

beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinder and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; a removable head for closing the upper end of said cylinder; and means for operating said valve.

8.`A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a cylindrical valve-chamber provided with a plurality of inlet-ports and a plurality of outlet-ports, disposed substantially diametrically opposite each other; inlet and outlet ducts cooperating with the respective inlet and outlet ports; a cylindrical oscillating valve, mounted to operate in the valve-chamber, having ports disposed so as to cooperate with the inlet and outlet ports of the valve-chamber, and the inner surface of which valveis exposed to the pressure within said chamber throughout its entire circumference, and all thesaid ports having greater height than breadth; and means for actuating the valve in adirection at an angle to the length of the i orts, whereby the travel of the valve, for nctionai purposes, is reduced to the minimum. D

9. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder o en at its upper end and having supply an eating in said cylinder; a cylindrical .valve confined to oscillatin movements and located within said cy inder and extendin beyond the limit of upward movement o said piston, said valve having ports adapted to cooperate with the ports in said cylinders; a removable head for closing the upper end of said cylinder and which head is provided located within said cylinder and extending exhaust ports; a piston reeipro-A y with a centrally located projecting portion extending into the upper end of said valve; and means for operating said valve.

10. In a hydrocarbon engine a working cylinder open at its upper end and having y supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocatin in said cylinder; `a valve, confined to osci lating movements and cylindrical in form and v'of greater internal diameter than the diameter of said piston, located within Vsaid cylinder and extending beyond supply an exhaust orts;'a piston recipro,

eating in said cylin er; a valve confined to oscillating -movements and cylindrical in form and of greater internal diameter than the diameter of said piston, located within said Vcylinder and extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, Said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; a removable head for closing the upper end of said cylinder and which head is provided with a centrally located projection extending into the ,upper end of said valve; and means for oprating said valve.

12. A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a casing having inlet and outlet ports therethrough to form a valvechamber;` a cooling-jacket entirely surrounding said chamber; a valve provided with ports located and operating in said chamber, and the inner surface of which 'valve is exposed to the pressure within said chamber, said valve having a plurality of contact-devices arranged between it and the walls of said chamber to rovide a constant contact between said devices and the chamber-walls, whereby heat in said contact-devices and the valve is carried oli' through the cooled walls of said chamber.

1 3. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; a cylindrical valve, conned to oscillating movementsand located within said cylinder and extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to coperate CWith the portsin saidcylinder, and the inner surface' of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; packing Ymembers located in grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve; and means for "operating said valve.

l-l. In a hydrocarbon engine, a Working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillating cylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond the limit of upward movement of said piston, said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the ports in said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; packing rings located in circumferential grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve, and one at each end of the ports therein, and each ofI Whichrings is provided with a plurality of recesses; a series of vertically arranged packing segments located in grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve and the ends of which enter the recesses in said packing rings; and means for operating said valve.

15. In a hydrocarbon engine, a working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillating cylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond the limit of .upward movement of said piston, and having ports adapted to coperate with the ports in said cylinder; packing rings located in circumferential grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve and one at each end of the ports therein; a series of vertically arranged packing segments located in grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve; and circumferential rings adapted to force said segments outward; and means for operating said valve.

16. In a hydrocarbon engine, a Working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston reciprocating in said cylinder; an oscillating cylindrical valve located within said cylinder and extending beyond the limit of upward movementof said piston, said valve having ports adapted, to coperate with the poi'tsin said cylinder, and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout its entire circumference; packing rings located in circumferential grooves formed in the exterior surface of said valve and one at each end of the ports therein, and each of which rings is'provided with a plurality of recesses; a series of vertically arran ed packing segments located in grooves ormed in the exterior surface of said valve, and the ends of which enter the recesses in said packing rings; means adapted to force said segments outward; and means for operating said valve.

17. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising a circularlymovable valve having an odd number of cylinder,

ports therein, and a valve-chamber having an even number of ports therein dividing into two series arranged at opposite sides of the chamber, and mechanism for actuati the said valve, the inner surface of said va ve being exposed to the' pressure within the valve-chamber and the ports being arrangedV relatively so as to produce an explosive balance in the valve.

18. A valve mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising a circularly movable valve having a plurality of vertically dis osed and equi-distantly arranged ports, andla valve-chamber having a lesser number of ports arranged'in two oppositely disposed series for coperation with said valve ports, and means for oscillating said valve within said chamber.

19. A valve mechanism for hydrocarbon engines comprising a cage-valve having ports; expansible rin s and segmental bearing-pieces embedded 1n the exterior surface of said cage-valve about theports; and expansible members coperatmg with the pieces to forcibly press the same outwardly, whereby a contact-surface 'is provided for said cage-valve.

20. A valve mechanism for hydrocarbon engines comprisin a cage-valve having ports; expansible rings and segmental bearing-pieces embedded 1n the cage-valve about the ports; expansible members coperating with the pieces to forcibly press the same outwardly; said bearing-pieces having their ends extending into recesses provided in the rings, whereby a gas-tight contact-surface 41s provided for said cage-valve.

21. A hydrocarbon engine comprising in its structure a working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a piston adapted to reciprocate in said cylinder; a valve located and operatin and having ports a apted to coperate with the cylinder ports; packing strips located in grooves in the exterior surface of, the valve and arranged at opposite ends of thevalveports; and additional packing strips in grooves in the exterior surface of the valve andarranged at an angle to the other packing strips; and means for actuating said valve.

22. A hydrocarbon en ine having, in combination, a working cylinder having supply.' a piston reciprocating in and exhaust ports; said cylinder; an oscillatingV valve in said cylinder extending `beyond the limit of up- Nvard movementv of Vsaid ports for ooperation wi theports of said and the inner surface of which valve is exposed to the pressure within said cylinder throughout .itsentire inner surface; and means for actuating said valve injcluding connections thereto atits upper end.

23. A hydrocarbon engine havlng, in combination,l a working cylinder having supply within said cylinder piston, and having t .and exhaust ports;

having its entire inner surface exposed to the pressure Within said cylinder, and said valve having ports adapted to coperate with the ports of said cylinder; a piston reciprocating within said cylinder and -valve but confined to operation below the ports thereof; and means for actuating said valve including connections thereto above the ports thereof.

24.. A hydrocarbon engine having, in conibination, a working cylinder having supply and exhaust ports; a crank-casing below the cylinder; actuating means in. said casing; a valve in said cylinder having its entire inner surface exposed to the pressure in the cylinder, and said valvelhaving ports for cooperation with the ports of said cylinder; a piston operating Within said cylinder and valve and confined to movements below the ports thereof; connections between said piston and said actuating means; and means for actuating said valve including connections from said actuating means to the valve above the ports thereof.

25. A hydrocarbon engine having, in combination, a working cylinder having supply and exhaust orts; a crank-casing at one end ofsaid cylindbr ;-actuating means in said casing; a valve in said cylinder having ports coperating with said cylinder ports; a piston operating within the said cylinder and in coperative relation to thevalve; a housing arranged at one side of said cylinder and at the end'th'ereof opposite the crankcasing; another housing opposite the one first named and at the same end of the cylinder; connections between the piston and the actuating means; means tor actuating,

Athe valve, including connections from the actuating means to the valve', a Vportion of which are'inclosed within the first-named housing; and said second-named housing inclosing essential Vportions of the operating parts of the engine, scribed.

26. A hydrocarbon engine comprising a working cylinder having inlet and outlet ports; a valve o erating within said cylinder and conned) to oscillating movements therein; a head for closing one end of the casing and extending into one end of the valvel and a piston reciprocating within the cylinderY and the opposite end of the valve, whereby ,an unobstructed combustion-chamber is produced, and the entire inner surface of the valve isy exposed to the pressure in the cylinder.

27. A hydrocarbon engine having, in com-A bination, a working cylmderprovided with inlet and outlet ports; a head closing one endof the cylinder; a valve operating within the casing and confined tov movements therein and surrounding 4a portion ofthe-head; and the said head being substantially as de,-

a valve in said cylinder oscillating inner surface of the valve is exposed to the pressure in thecylinder.

28. A hydrocarbon engine having, in comhination', a workingcylmder provided with inlet and outlet ports; a valve operating Within the cylinder and having ports coperatin with thel inlet and outlet ports of the cy inder; a piston-having reciprocatory motion within the cylinder and rWithin a portion of the valve, the arrangement of the valve 4Within the cylinder and relativelyv to `the piston beingsucli as to expose the entire 1B inner surface of the valve to the pressure within said cylinder; means for actuating thel piston; means for actuating thevalve; and means whereby the valve'and thelpiston are prevented "from engaging jwith eaclfizoV other at all times. r

In testimony whereof I have hereunto' signed my name in the presence 'of two 'subscribin Witnesses.

LLSWORTH F. GASKELL.

Witnesses: A

CHAB. MGC. CHAPMAN,

M. HERsKovrrz.

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