US1336846A

US1336846A - Engine

Info

Publication number: US1336846A
Application number: US54847A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lewis Thomas Edgar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1915-10-08
Filing date: 1915-10-08
Publication date: 1920-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1937-04-13

Description

T. E. LEWIS.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.8. 1915.

1,336,846, Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

T. E. LEWIS.

ENGINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED OCT-8,1915.

1,336,846, Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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B u I T. E. LEWIS.

ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0CT.8,1915.

L336,84;6, Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

0 z v w THOMAS EDGAR LEWIS, OF PENYGRAIG, RHONDDA, WALES.

ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13,1920.

Application filed October 8, 1915. Serial No. 54,847.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS EDGAR LEWIS, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Penygraig, Rhondda, South Wales, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Engines, of which the fol= through the center of the machine are of equal length from one edge of the cam to the other. Further features of my invention reside in the provision for reversibility by merely tumbling the cam from one side of its center line to the other. A still further feature is the provision in the application of my invention to steam engines of means for varying the steam cut off by adjusting the position ofthe cam either by hand or automatically in connection with the engine governor.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated'an embodiment of my invention designed to operate as a steam or expansion engine.

Figure 1 is an end sectional elevation.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate diagrammatically a means for varying and adjusting the position of the cam or cams.

Figs. 5 and 6 show a means whereby the cams can be caused to tumble under the pressure of steam acting on the piston.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 show how the movements of the cam or cams can be controlled by a governor to provide an automatic steam expansion gear, and

Figs. 10 and 11 show a simple two cylinder engine where the cylinders remain stationary.

Referring to these drawings and particularly Figs. 1 to 9 A designates a casing within which a cylinder body B rotates as will hereafter appear, and thus imparts rotary motion to a central shaft C to which the cylinder body is connected. The cylinders D are bored or otherwise formed in the cylinder body B in diametrically opposed pairs and the pistons E which reciprocate in the cylinders are rigidly connected together in pairs, the rigid connecting member F being slotted to accommodate the central shaft C. Suitably located upon these rigid connecting members I mount rollers or other projections G which cooperate with a cam path H of specially designed curvature. This curvature is such that at all positions of the pistons E the rollers or projections G aforesaid maintain contact with it. The projections or rollers form a correct trammeling at a line directly through the center of shaft or in other words the cam is of such a design that the measurements from the outer path on one side of the center of the shaft to the other side in a line through the center are exactly alike. The cylinder body B is preferably slightly tapered and the internal periphery of the casing A is similarly tapered and the parts are ground to insure a correct but easy working fit. In order to prevent leakage in spite of the easy fit, I propose to provide circular grooves or ridges J around the cylinder head and it will be found that the lubricating oil entering these grooves will form a liquid seal against the escape of the steam or the like. I preferably provide two rows or rings of cylinders side by side, the cylinders of one row being staggered relative to the cylinders of the other row, and I provide inlet chambers or ports K and exhaust chambers or ports L common to the two rows of cylinders. The arrangement of the inlet port or chamber K is such that immediately prior to one cylinder passing clear of the inlet port K, another cylinder commences to come into position to receive the steam so that there is a continual flow of steam into the cylinders, and continual exhaust whereby a very even torque effect results and moreover the engine will start up in any position of the cylinder body.

In order to provide for reversibility I propose to provide the two inlet ports K connected by branch pipes M to a common main steam pipe N, and I provide a two way cock 0 at the junction of the branch pipes with the main steam pipe and the direction of the rotation will depend upon which way the two way cock is opened. It will be readily seen that this arrangement applies to an engine having an expansion line of definite length. I may, however, provide for reversibility by providing means whereby the position of the cam path or paths H can be varied. It will be appreciated with this type of apparatus that if the cam path be moved from its position upon one side of the axis of the machine to a similar position upon the other side of the axis, reversibility of the direction of rotation will be effected. A means by which this may be accomplished is illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case the controlling lever P is coupled by the pin P to the cam H which is rotatable upon the hub P and the position of the cam H can be adjusted at any position within the limits imposed by the slot P and the desired result obtained.

Figs. 5 and 6 indicate an arrangement where a slot Q is cut in the cam H and a pin Q is fitted rigidly on the cover I atthe same time passing through the cam. The slot is such that an easy fit between it and the pin is afforded and it will be seen that the pressure of steamacting on the piston will tumble the cam in the opposite direction. to that of rotation of the engine and thus afford a means for obtaining reversibility. Moreover by altering the position of the cam path it will be seen that a variable expansion line is got and means can be provided for varying the steam cut off as required. By associating the cam path or paths with a governor as shown at T and thus providing for its automatic movement, the engine is provided with an automatic steam expansion gear.

Figs. 7 8 and 9 indicate an arran ement where a lever B engages the cam H by a pin R and crank R the pin being carried through a stationary bearing R in the side cover. Accommodation is made on the cam for the crank R to work in, and it will be seen that the cam moves in the opposite direction to that in which the lever is moved. The means for varying the position of the cam are not confined to those indicated but may be of any desired form. Where two cams are employed as in the example described, the arrangements would be such as to insure the movement of both cams in unison.

Where two rows of cylinders are provided in the foregoing manner, the pistons of each row of cylinders will cooperate with a different cam path, and it will be readily understood that when steam is admitted to the cylinders the pistons will reciprocate and by reason of the cooperation with the rollers or equivalent devices carried upon the rigid piston connecting members, the cylinder body will rotate bodily. It may, however,

be found desirable to reverse this arrangement and provide that the cylinder body remains stationary while the cam path rotates. A simple form of such an engine is shown in Fi s. 10 and 11 where the cylinders D are fi cam H is keyed upon and rotates with the shaft C. In this case the reciprocation of the pistons E, by reason of the projections G engaging the cam, causes the cam to rotate and carry with it the shaft C. It will be designed and applied as an internal combustion engine or hydraulic motor and can be made to operate with either compressible or incom ressible fluid. What claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. A rotary engine comprising an outer casing provided with inlet and exhaust chambers, a cylinder body rotatable Within the casing, opposed cylinders formed in the xed to a bed plate S and the cylinder body, central driving shaft to l which the cylinders are rigidly connected, pistons directly coupled together. in pairs, yokes connecting said pairs of pistons, projecting devices carried by said yokes, a cam path with which said cam projections cooperate, means for tumblin said cam to vary the steam cut off and e ect reversal of the direction of rotation of the cylinder body and its connected driving shaft.

2. A rotary engine comprising in com bination an outer tapering casing provided with inlet and exhaust chambers, a cylinder body rotatable within the casing, opposed cylinders formed in the cylinderbody, said cylinder body taperingin the direction of its axis and fittin the similarly ta ered casing, a central driving shaft to whic the cylinders are rigidly connected, pistons directly coupled together in pairs, okes connecting said pairsof pistons, pro ecting devices carried by said yokes, and a cam path with which said projections cooperate.

In testimon whereof I afiix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.

THOMAS EDGAR LEWIS. Witnesses WILLIAM J. PERKINS, SYDNEY BRYANT.