US1336997A - Rotary engine - Google Patents

Description

. J. BOLFING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILI-:D Au s.9. I9I8.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. J. BOLFING.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9,191B.

Patented pr. L55 1920.

:ZJSHEETs-SHEET 2.

A TTOR NE YS iiniTEn sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

ARTHUR J. BOLFING, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

.ROTARY ENGINE.

Application led August 9, 1918.

To all iff/tom t may concer/L."-

Be it known that l, ARTHUR J. Bonrixe, a citizen ol" the United States, and a resident ot the city and county ot San Francisco, State of California, have made a new and useful inventionwto wit, Rotary Engines; and I do hereby declare the Ptollowing to be a tull, clear, concise, and exac description ot the same.

Vhe invention relates particularly to rotary internal expansion engines.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a true rotary engine adapted to use the expansive power of steam, compressed air and like lluids. Other objects and advantages will appeal' as this description progresses.

In this specification and the annexed drawings the invention is illustrated in the torni considered to be the'best, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such form because it may be embodied in other orrns, and it is also to be understood that in and by the claims following the description it is desired to cover the invention in whatever torni it may be embodied.

In the accompanying two sheets olI draw,- ings,

Figure l is a perspective view of a rotary engine constructed in accordance with this invention, broken away in cross section on the line I--I F ig. 2 to illustrate the interior construction and arrangement ot the pa Fig. a side elevation ot the same, the upper ii ot the engine above the axial lin" being shown in cross sect-ion.

S is an enlargwd fragmentary detail and illustratingthc manner ot mounting controlling the vanes.

Fig. -l is an end elevation oit the same in cross section taken on the line Ill-IV Fig. 3.

Fig. is a tragmentary detail illustrating the initial entrance ot steam with respect to the vane.

In detail the construction illustrated in the drawings includes, the hollow shatt l, V[ixed in any suitable base such as the brackets 2 secured to a suitable foundation 3. The manner of mounting this shaft will vary with the application oi' the engine to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1920.

Serial No. 249,103.

various uses; in the present case the base 3 an air plane. The hollow shaft l is connected with a source ot power, such as the steam service pipe el, controlled by the throttle valve 5, ope 1ated by the handle 6. The outer end ot' the shat't l is closed by the transverse wall 'T and terminates in the stud 8.

rfhe stator or stationary element ot the engine has a substantially elliptical perimeter l() set eccentric to the axis ot the shat't l; the perimeter l() being parallel with the axis ot this shaft, one segment ot the perimeter from 11 to 12 (see Fig. l) being concentric with the axis ot' the shaft and adapted to approximate contact with the rotor or rotating element of the engine. The rotor comprises a substantially cyliir drical casing 13, having the lateral flanges lie-l5 to which the side plates 16 and 1T are bolted (see Fig. 2). The hubs 18 and l) ot these respective plates are suitabl \v machined to receive the antifriction roller bearing 20 and 2l respectively, interposed between the hubs of these plates and the shatt l, and the stud 8, at opposite sides ot the engine, to provide suitable mountings 'tor the rotary casing on its axial center, concentric with the axis ot the shaft l about which it is free to rotate. The casing i3 is provided at circumferential intervals with the sockets 22, in the present instance three in number, but this number may be increased or decreased in accordance with the number of phases or cycles it is desired that the operation ot' the engine may pass through during each revolution.

The rotor is provided with the vanes 23, 2e, 25 having cylindrical heads 26 adapted to snugly lit and oscillate within the sockets 22, forming a pressure tight contact therein. rllhe bodies ot these respective vanes are lcurved on radii equal to the radius oitl the ing from in front of the ends of the vane and to a suitable distance to the rear thereof.

To insure the contact of the inner end of the Yanes against the perimeter 10 of the stator, I pr vide the torsion springs 30 confined within the hollow of the heads 26 of the ifanes. rllhe inner` end 31 of the springs engages a hole 32 in the head 26, the opposite end 33 of the spring engages a Yplug 311 rotatable within the sockets 22, and

is provided with a suitable wrench stud for rotating the plug, to increase or diminish the torsional tension on the spring 30, the tension being lixed by the pin 36 in the plates 16 or 1T and engaging notches 37 in the plugs. The plug is covered by the cap 38 screwed thereorer. The torsion of the spring 30, and the initial impact of the steamv against the vane tends to swing the vane inward against the periphery of the stator, to insure their contact therewith against centrifugal force, friction or any other causes liable to break the contact between the stator and the vanes.

The eccentric relation of the stator to the outer casing leaves a crescent shaped space between these members within the casing. it is the function of the Yanes to divide this space into cycles or phases representing intake, expansion and exhaust.

The inlet nozzle l0 communicates througl the throat l1 with the hollow shaft l, the outlet or mouth of the nozzle being closed by contact with the interior perimeter of the casing and the vanes passing thereover, during the cutoff cycle or period. The nozzle of a rotary steam engine is a member in which the energy existing as heat in the steam is converted into kinetic energy or energy of motion. rlhis conversion, when properly carried out, is highly efficient, that is, the proportion of heat converted into work may closely approach the limiting theoretical value. rlhe cross section of the nozzle is determined by the pressure and quantity of steam to be passed and the amount of heat to be converted into work; it will therefore vary with certain conditions. The cross section of the throat determines the steam that can pass with a given initial pressure. From the narrowest part to the outlet, the cross section increases in such al way that as the steam continues to expand, there is an approximately uniform acceleration. In the case ot water this enlargement of friction would be accompanied by a reduction of velocity. But when dealing with steam there is a continual gain in the velocity of the steam particles and a decrease in density, pressure and temperature. ln the present instance it is desirable to obtain impact of the steam against the vanes as well as 'to utilize its expansive effect, for

quantity oi'V that reason the nozzle l0 is curved to approach as nearly as may be a tangential delivery at the periphery or outlet against the vanes, to avoid the production of acoustic vibrations and nodes of high and low pressure in the issuing jet. Such disturbances result in steam shock and in a reconversion of kinetic energy into heat, in such a way that such heat is passed through the engine without doing useful work. To maintain the acceleration of the steam issuing from the nozzle, the contour of the recesses 27-28-29 are so shaped as to present the least resistance to the owing steam, compressed air or other Huid issuing from the nozzle.

To regulate the cutoff,7 or the points at which the steam issuing from the nozzle is permitted to enter the casing, l provide the slidable y plates l13, all, and 45, extending across the width of the casing 13, and following its concentric contour. Each plate is controlled by a wing nut l, threaded onto stud on the plate and jamming against the exterior perimeter 13 of the casing. For the sake of simplicity in illustration, this elementary form of adjustment is shown. It is obvious, however, that these'plates may be moved in unison by the addition of suitable mechanisms for that purpose.

Referring to Fig. 1, the mouth of the nozzle l0 has just been cut olf by the edge of the contiguous plate 43. The space A, between the stator, the rotor and the vanes 2a is being filled with expanding steam, which in 'seeking space within which to expand will advance toward the larger area B aga-inst the stator, thus pulling or rotating the casing to the right or clockwise as indicated by the arrow, until the vaneY 24 assumes the position in which the vane 25 is shown, which is approaching the cycle of maximum expansion in the space B. .At the point 10 in the perimeter of the stator 9 the space C between the stator and the rotor begins to contract, which is the exhaust cycle, the contraction of the space reachiiw its maximum when the vane has assumed the position of the vane 23, forcing or squeezing the expanded steam through the ports formed in the perimeter or' the stator between the cross bridge au, that remain merely to give stability to the stator, and to guide the end of the vanes passing thereover. The exhaust or expanded steam, forced into the chamber 19 of the stator, escapes through the crescent shaped space 50 surrounding the hollow shaft 1 and extending to the atmosphere or suitable condensers for reconversion to water, in accordance with the usual practice The inner surface of the vane 23 lying against the concentric portion 51 of the stator permits the passage of the vane thereacross, meantime effectively sealing theY escape of steam from the nozzle 110, also sealing the cycle A in the operation or" the engine. Vhen the end of the vane 23 passes the opening or mouth of the nozzle ett), the steam escaping therefrom into the recess 29 therebehind, adding its Jforce to the spring 30 operating against the vane, forces the edge of the vane against the perimeter of the stator as illustrated by the vane 24, the steam escaping into the recess and completely filling `the space A, as previously described, until the succeeding Aplate '-l assumes the position illustrated by the plate #L3 at which p yriod the steam is again cut oil and expands and exhausts as described.

Should it so happen that the engine should stop on a dead center such as represented in Fig. l, after the throttle 5 was closed and no steam was issuing through the nozzle e0, it would be manifestly impossible to start the engine. To overcome this diiiiculty l provide the by-pass 52, communicating through the longitudinal hole 53 with a steam pipe 54C, controlled by the 'alve 55, so that steam may be introduced into the space past the check valve 5o, 'for moving the rotor past the dead center until it attains suiiicient momentum to carry it over this center in the succeeding revolutions. The check valve 5G prevents back pressure through the pipe 53.

The sides of the stator contact with the plates 16 and l? and prevent leakage of steam at these points, all points oi: :approximate contact between the stator and the rotor being effectively sealer., pressure tight, by the introduction of suitable lubricant with the steam in the usual manner. To further insure proper sealing, l introduce the laminated packing 57 and 58 on oppoite sides of the engine adjacent to the bearings 2O and 2l. Lost motion in the bearings 2O and 2l may be taken up by the running nuts 59. threaded on the shaft and jammed by the lock nuts 60 and 6l in the usual manner. These bearings are protected 'by the caps 62 and 63, the former fixed to the plate 1G and engaging tlie'hol low shaft against which it is packed by the stuiiing gland 64C, for thc purpose of retaining lubricant within the bearings. The cap 63 pei-tr ins a similar function and is iixcd to the plate 1 7 over the end o1 the shaft, like wise iin-losing the bearing 2l for the purpose of retaining lubricant.

The relative position of parts shown in F 5, illustrates the lifting action of the steam entering the recess 27, behind the end of the vane and forcing it against the perimeter lO of the rotor. indicated by the arrows.

Centrifugal force can be taken advantage of to maintain the contact between the vanes and the rotor, by the counterweight S0 rlxed to the vane on the opposite side of its pivoted center and projecting through a slot in the rotor. rllhe outward throw of the counterweights swinging the ends of the vanes inward, as shown in Fig. 5.

Modifications within the purview of this invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in adapting it to special purposes.

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

l. A rotary engine comprising a stator set eccentric to the axis of the engine and having a nozzle therein; a rotor inclosing said stator,vconcentric with said axis and circumferentially contacting with said stator and closing said nozzle, and having recesses therein; adjustable cutol3 means interposed between said rotor and stator contiguous to said nozzle and said recesses; vaines interposed at intervals between said stator and rotor; and means for introducing an expansive medium through said nozzle, and exhausting it from between said vanes.

2. A rotary engine comprising a stator; a rotor inclosing said statorandhaving vane sockets therein; vanes having hollow heads pivotally engaging said sockets, with their opposite ends bea-ring against said stator; torsion springs within said heads having one end engaging said vane and the other engaging said rotor and adapted to normally hold said vanes in contact with said stator.

3. A rotary engine comprising a iixed hollow shaft; a stator. on said shaft; a rotor inclosing said stator, set eccentrical'ly thereto and circumterentially contacting therewith; curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to pass the contact between said rotor and stator; spring means within said vanes tor normally holding the same in contact with the stator; perimetrical recesses in said rotor contiguous to said vanes, means for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said first mentioned inlet and an exhausting outlet of substantially the same width as the stator.

Al. A rotary engine comprising a fixed hollow shatt;`a stator eccentric on said shaft having a nozzle therein opening into aid shaft and through the perimeter of said stator of substantially the same width as the stator: a rotor having perimetrical recesses and inclosing said stator concentric with said shaft and contacting with said stator contiguous to the outlet of said nozzle` curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to concentrically pass the said contact between said stator and rotor and extending over said recesses; means for introducing an expansive medium through said hollow shaft and'nozzle; an auxiliary inlet for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said nozzle, and a suitably disposed yfrom the engine.

bridged chamber within said stator connected with means for exhausting said medium 5. A rotary engine comprising a fixed hollow shaft; a stator eccentric on said shaft and substantially in perimetral contour and having va nozzle therein opening into said shaft and through the perimeter of said stator, a rotor having perimetrical recesses and inclosing said stator, concentric with said shaft and contacting with said stator contiguous to the outlet of said nozzle; curved vanes vpivoted in said rotor and adapted to concentrically pass the said contact between said stator and rotor and extending over said recesses; means for introducing an expansive medium through said hollow shaft and nozzle; said nozzle so shaped as to impartan impact as well as expansive force to said expansive medium, an auxiliary inlet for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said nozzle and means for exhausting said medium from the engine.

6. A rotary engine comprising a rotor and stator; vanes pivoted in said rotor and bearing against said stator; means for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes comprising an inlet port extending 'substantially across the full width of the stator, an auxiliary inlet for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said first mentioned inlet and means for exhausting said expansive medium comprising a port extending substantially across the full width ofthe stator and occupying approximately one fourth of the peripheral area of said stator.

"7. A rotaryV engine comprising a fixed hollow shaft; a stator on said shaft; a rotor inclosing said stator, set eccentric thereto and circumferentially contacting therewith, curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to passthe contact between said rotor and stator; perimetrical recesses in said rotor contiguous to said vanes; means for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes; an auxiliary inlet for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said first mentioned inlet; and an exhausting outlet of substantially the same width as the stator. y

8. A rotary engine comprising a fixed hollowshaft; a stator on said shaft; a rotor inclosing said stator, set eccentric thereto and circumferentially contacting therewith; curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to pass the contact between said rotor and stator; perimetrical recesses in said rotor contiguous to said vanes; an inlet for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes adjacent saidpoint of contactof the stator and rotor; adjustable cutoff means interposed between said rotor and low shaft; a stator on said shaft; a rotor inclosing said stator, set eccentric thereto and circumferentially contacting therewith; curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to pass the contact between said rotor and stator; perimetrical recesses in said rotor contiguous to said vanes; an inlet for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes adjacent said point lof contact of the'stator and rotor; adjustable cutoff means interposed between said rotor and. stator contiguous to said inlet and recesses and means in said stator for exhausting said expansive medium; an auxiliary inlet for introducing an expansive medium ahead of said first mentioned inlet; adjustable cutoff fmeans interposed between said rotor and stator contiguous to said inlet and recesses and means in said stator for exhausting said expansive medium. y

10. A rotary engine comprising a rotor and stator; vanes pivotedA in said rotor; spring means within said vanes for normally holding the same against the stator; means for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes comprising an inlet port extending substantially across the full width of the stator; an auxiliary inlet for introducing 'an expansive medium ahead of said first mentioned inletand means for exhausting saidV expansive medium-comprising a port extendingl substantiallyv across the full width of the stator and occupying approximately one fourth of the peripheral area of the stator.

11. A rotary engine comprising a fixed hollow shaft; a stator on said shaft; a rotor inclosing said stator, set eccentric thereto and circumferentially contacting therewith; curved vanes pivoted in said rotor and adapted to pass the :contact between said rotor and stator; spring means within said vanes for normally holding the same in contact with the stator; perimetrical recesses in said rotor contiguous to said vanes; an inlet for introducing an expansive medium between said vanes adjacent said point of contact of the stator'and rotor; adjustable cutofi' means interposed between said rotor and stator contiguous to said inlet and recesses and means in said stator for exhausting said expansive medium.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at San Francisco; California, this 27th day of July, 1918.

A. J. BOLFING.

In presence of- A. J. HENRY, BALDWIN VALE.

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