US1518348A - Rotating engine and operating connections therefor - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 9, 1924- 1,518,348

w. c. NICHOLSON ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATING CONNECTIONS THEREFOR Filed July '7. 19?;9 4 Sheets-Sheet l @n lll WWE. In

' Dec. 9, 1924.

` gif/lil 1,518,348 n W.v C; NICHOLSON QCTATIHGYNGINE AND OPERATING CONNECTIONS THERE-Fon me@ .my v. 1919 4 sneetswsheaz 2 IMU? 'fa De@ 9, i924.. I y l 1,518,348

l w, c. 'NLQHQLSQN ROTATING ENGINE .um @Emma cormicxos fnmiioa Filed July ff. 191%? 4 Shams-Sheet :s

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- f U' VE E\ Dec. 9, 1924 1.518,348

W, C. NICHOLSON ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATNG CONNECTIONS THEREFOR Filed Ju-ly '7, 1919 4 Shets-Sheet 4 Patented iBec. 9, i924.

irlhii'ilii) STATES WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON,

OF @AK FARK, ILLINOIS.

ROTATING ENGINE AND OPERATING CONNECTIONS THEREFOR.

Application led July 7,

To @ZZ 107mm t may concern.'

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. NICHOL- soN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the village of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Rotating Engine and Operating Connections Therefor; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference bew ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which Jform a part of this specification.

In engines of this type the cylinder is equivalent to one shat't of the gimbal-joint and rotates with the piston. An idle shaft journalled in .fixed bearings to rotate at an angle to the aXis of rotation of the cylinder is equivalent to the other shaft of the gimbal-joint.

An abutment rigidly attached to the cylinder and rotating therewith extends from one wall of the latter to the piston and contacts therewith along a line parallel to the axis of oscillation of the piston relatively to the cylinder.

It the cylinder rotates the chambers formed by the piston on either side of the abutment alternately increase and decrease in volume owing to the double oscillation of the piston first relatively to the cylinder and second relatively to the idle shaft. By suitably introducing fluid under pressure on opposiie sides of the abutment alternately rotation of the cylinder is produced.

lit is an object therefore, of my invention to provide means for supporting the rotating cylinders at both ends.

A further object is to provide means whereby a single valve controls a plurality of cylinders.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a valve in which the use oi reciproeating or oscillating parts are avoided.

Furthermore an object of my invention is to provide means for readily reversing the engine and at the same time enabling the fluid admission to be cut off at the desired point when the engine is running in either direction.

It is an object of this invention to provide an engine adapted for general power purposes and because of its exceedingly compact construction and the high power eliiciency developed is particularly adapted for use in the operation of portable power' 1919. Serial No. 309,108.

driven devices, such, for example, as have heretofore been operated by compressed air, in other words, pneumatic tools.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a construction adapted for high speed and minimum vibration and utilizing the momentum of the entire engine effectively when in operation.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a construction adapted to develop high power eiiiciency but occupying very small space and directly connected with the element to be driven through the medium of a casing which affords the engine frame and likewise encloses the rotative parts, thus protecting the engine from injury and dirt and affording a protection from contact with the rotating elements ot the device, and so constructed as to permit the quick removal of the engine proper and substitution of a like engine.

The invention in a preferred form `is shown embodied as apressure operated portable steam or pneumatic tool of the rotative type, such, for example, as is used :tor drilling, boring and polishing and is more fully hereafter described.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a central longitudinal section partly in elevation of a machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view partly in section of the tool holder and thrust shatt of the machine.

Figure 3 is an enlarged central section through the connection between the source of fluid pressure and the valve chest.

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section through the engine detached from its casing or frame.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section on the line (3*6 of Figure 1, with the bottom of the gear case removed.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the machine.

Figure 9 is a view partly in section with half of a cylinder removed and the pistons and some of the related parts in elevation'.

Figure 10 is a plan view ot the piston with all oi the parts connected thereto removed.

Figure 11 is a section on the line HMH of Figure 4, with the piston removed.

Figure 12 is an enlarged section taken on line 19fl2 olf Figure 9.

Figure 13 is an enlarge: horizontal eentral section of a modified torni. et valve construction embodying` means 'tor reversing and varying the cut-od.

Figure 14; is a section on the line 14e-@14.2.- ot Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a section on the line 15e-15 of Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a section on the line 1ii5-16 ot Figure 19.

As shown in the drawings:

The engine comprises duplicate rotative globular' or spherical members termed cylinders and rigidly connected together by means of a valve mechanisn'i atfording` the inlet and the exhaust means ter each cylinder. Said engine rotates as a whole on the common axis ot said cylinders upon suitable axially aligned bea-rings at each end of the device, and also in a central liiearing at torded by the valve casing. The tool holder is supported parallel the anis oit rotation ot the engine and in alignment with a threaded thrust bar or shaft whereby thrustingpres sure may be varied on the tool as desired, and a reduction gearing is provided between the` engine or motor and the tool. holder to adord a positive drive. All of the operating parts `et the mechanism a whole are enclosed within the trame casing, which serves to hold the engine and the parts driven thereby in an unvarying relation.

The lframe casing` as shown is preterahhY constructed of cast metal and atords two chambers, one a relatively large longitudi nally disposed chamber to receive the engine through which the thrust shaft extends., and a lower chamber affording a gear casing. Said casing as shown is constructed in three parts abutting each other and rigidly se* cured together tranversely ot the casing by means of suitable cap screws or otherwise, and comprise a central casing section l, provided near its lower end with a transverse partition Q, to receive the lower end et the lower cylinder ot the engine. Said central section et the casing extends upwardly to approximately the plane passing through the center of the upper cylinder and there is flanged outwardly as indicated at 8, to receive the correspondingflange 4, et the upl per :trame casing member 5, as shown in Figure 1, into which the upper halt of the upper cylinder ot the engine projects.

Secured to afford the lower end ci, the 'framecasing is a peripherally flanged head, the flanges of Which enga-ge with the down wardly directed flanged edges ot the cen- `tral casing by "means of cap screws, and to- `gether `therewith forms a lower gear chainber. Rigidly secured substantially at the axis ot hsaid frame casing in the upper cas lng section 5, is an inwardly extending stud `atiorded shatti". Means `.tor engaging :wid shall in said casing may, et Coin-se, vary with the size ot the power unit. is shown. the sha t: 7, .is of: a reduced dian'ieter at the point where it passes through the wall ot' said upper casing and is threaded at its outer end to receive a clamping nut in a itanilizzr manner to draw the shoulder allorded ha said reduction in diameter et the sha'tt tirmly against the inner wall of said easing scrtion. In a similar n'innner. a stud shaft is rigidly secured in the cap or ond cashier member G, attording the bottoni oi" the roar case and projects up ardly to ador-d a lower end bearing tor the engl-ine.

The engine journalied on said .shafts 7 and 8., as shown .in Figures 1 and and in the ionstrnetion illustrated in the drawings, in which two power cylinders ot' spherical torni are shown, carb ot the crl inders divided transversely in f1 plone passing tliirouogl'i their centers and each con sists as shown ot. the lower senii-splierieal sections 9 and il.` the eonipleinental upper sections theretor are the crlinder ser-tions 10 and 1Q affording the respectiiie pressant(` chambers tor said power unit. lt is to he noted that Ytor convenience ot coiisti'iuftion. the cylinder sections and 1:5 are duplicato and the cylinder sections 1t) and 11 are also duplicate in all respects. tlaid cylinder sertions ot each cylinder are titted torgther so that the section subjected to the highest temperature tits within the other section at the lioint to attoid a joint that is not en dangered by expansion and the joint is jfurther strengthened by a union ri which 'firmly engages a bead er rim on one cylinder section and threaded onto the other.

The lower end et the lower @vlinder and 'thev upper end of' the upper cylinder are each nrwxided with a tlanne inlenivil with .said vos and nonni' #vlinder 'tivo lower project Y the avais and alord oppositelv il1'-i- 't'e l In. and through which a cuylindrie here opens into cach cylinder. rllhe huh` on the lower cylinder hte into a conipleinental aperture l in the partition and siitahh paclrinn' shown in Figure l. is provided at the bearing arti .'flod therehv to prevent wir water o'tf condensation [hidingy its war into the rear casing in thc` event that strain is used.

,loiirnalled on the lower sleeve 111-, provided at its upper end with a cylindric collar 15. which lits closely in and rigidly secured to said lower huh Til. and inteoralhconnected with which is :L .vol-1e hereina ter incre 'f-"nlljy1 descrilud with roter ence to the descriilition ot the piston and op eration. Fitted "-.ririn the [lange et the collar is one ci' the members tti, ot a 'id shat tl. is a Sil titl

lll,

lill) ball or roller brewing, as preferred, the other bearingA member 1,7, ol: v-.fhich is rigidly secured on the stub shaft 8, which has on its inner end an ol'iliquely directed integral bracket or stationffiry crank shaft 1S, which will be described in connection with the pis ton and its operation). In a similar manner. a yoke bearing' collar 15. is fitted within and rigidly secured to the hub 13, ot the upper cylinder and rigidly secured thereto and therein is a. sleeve 1T, affording' one member of a ball or roller bearinnf 1,6, the other member of which 1T. is rigidly secured on the inwardly directed end of the stub shaft .7, balls or rollers in cach instance being; interposed between said members. A bracket which acts as a` stationary crank shaiit 18` similar to that betore described is integrally secured thereto.

The cylinders are rigidly connected with Vxach other tl'n'oiurh the medium of internal abutmonts 20 and 20, and a cylindrical valve block 21, rigidly uniting' said abutinents. The latter project into therespective cylinders to near the center thereoig and are ot duplicate construction, each having` .inclined side walls arranged approximately at right angles with each other and aiiording' an apex slightly concave for its entire length having` a packing recess therein, in which is a suitable packing' extending4 across the cylinder on a cord approximating the diameter oit the cylinder. The a-pices of the respective abutments in said cylinders are also directed at a right angle with each other, as shown in Figure 4;. Tliie valve block 21, is axially disposed between and rigidly connects said abutments and is ot Va length to extend into seats complemental with the ends ot said valve block in said abutments, as shown in Figure 5. lit preferred the adjacent abutments, the contain` inn' hall? cylinders and he valve block may be constructed integrally. laid valve block provided with iliour ports 2la and 21h, ar` ranged parallel the axis thereof and regisi tering); with corresiiionding` ports opening' tlirough the sides of said abutments, two of the ports, as shown in F igures 4, 5 and 11, opening` one through each side of each abiiitinent, through the oppositely inclined walls thereof, said ports increasing inwardly in transverse area to reduce resistance ot the flow or the pressure fluid, cap screws 19, extending; through the dead ends of said ports in the valve block 21, into the respective abutments, thus affording' a very rigid connection between the abutinents and in axial alignment with the stub shaft before described. Said abutments are shaped to lit complementally into the side walls ot said inner cylinder sections and are rigidly connected therewith.,

The ports :from said valve blocks open theretrom through the periphery of the and that the inlet blocks as shown in Figure Between the adjacent ends ot said cylinders is' a, tionary valve chestcasi ng' parted centrali through the axis thereof, and the tw tions secured together by cap screw and is provided on the inlet side 24, wu nn inlet pipe 25, and an inlet pressure chamber Q5, and on the opposite side with an e3;- hafust chamber 29, opening therefrom and an exhaust pipe The inner walls oit the valve casing` for that portion thereof contacting' the valve block, are of unequal length owing to the fact that the inlet chamber is shorter on the periphery oi the valve block than the exhaust chamber. That is to say, the web oi said valve casing' bea-ring' against the periphery of the valve block is relatively long' between the positions oi closing the inlet port and the opening' of said port at exhaust position to obtain the value ot the steam or pressure expansively. while the web between the termination of the exhaust chamber and the beginningv oi the inlet port is relatively short to permit substantially immediate inlet of pressure at the end of the exhaust. It will be noted owing to the right angular arrangement of the ports and the abutments through which the ports open into the cylinders, the inlet impulses and exhaust from the respective cylinders will be alternately and in sequence, to each cylinder taires place before the cut-oit for the other, thus avoiding possibility oi. dead center'. As shown, a sleeve 30, integral with the central frame casing provides an aperture through which the pressure inlet pipe 31, extends, and closely lits and is secured. This, of course. and as shown in F igure 3, registers with the end of the inlet pipe 2V, which is provided at its outer end with a iii-inge or hub 3% fitting' over the inwardly extending end ot the inlet pressure pipe 5311 and between which is provided a` relatively large packing' chamber containing' a packing; which may vary of cours with the character oi the pressure fluid, but conveniently may be a hydraulic packing, as shown at 38 wherein the pressure fluid acts to press the valve casing inwardly against the valve block thereby always insuring a tight joint with the valve block on the pressure side inasmuch as the pressure in the exhaust side of the valve chamber is 'but slightly above atmospheric pressure. lt will be observed that the valve casing' affords a central lfioatiiie; bearing for the valve blocks whereby the two cylinders are rigidly connected to rotate together, and which cannot be aii'ected by any stresses applied to the inlet pipe 31. which also acts as an operatingi handle.

A piston 34 and 34a, is provided respectively in each ofthe cylinders and mounted to oscillate therein through an arc as shown f) Stiffof the gear, and journalled each upon a stud shaft 62,1'igidly secured to the gear oase cap orl partition. 2, und extending vup- Wardly in the gear case. lntegrally connected with each of said pinions 62, are gear Wheels 68, each of which meshes with a pinion 54, rigidly secured to the hub or sleeve 14, of the loiver cylinder.

F rom the construction described, it will be seen that the tool is positively driven through the medium 4of said train of gears from the engine, and pressure may be. exerted upon the tool, or the pressure may be released or reduced by the operation of the thrust shaft Which acts substantially as a screw jack for the purpose.

ln the reversing construction illustrated in Figures 13 to 16, inclusive, provision is made for reversing the drive of the engine, and varying the cut-ell' tc suit the requirements of the Work or to stop the engine. For this purpose as shown, the engine is co structed as before described, with the exception of the throttle and reversing mechanism. For this purpose as shown, the valve casing 65 is provided, of a size to receive the rotative valve block and a shifting valve segment 73. Said valve casing 65, is cylindrical and may be constructed as shown or in tivo sections formed as illustrated with reference to the valve casing shown in Figure 5, and is provided With a tubular extension 66, having an open port on each side thereof, and secured to the casing frame, as shown in Figure 13. Extending into the casing frame, is a cylindrical rotatable throttle valve 67, which lits closely Within the eX- tension 66, of the valve casing, and in its inner end is provided with a V-shaped pan tition G8 extending from opposite sides thereof one side of said partition is provided with an aperture or port G9, to afford an inlet port for the valve casing. Said V- shaped partition entends inwardly and at its inner end 70, bears aga-inst a web a, integral with the valve casing of a Width slightly greater than one of ther inlet ports, as indicated at 70a. The end of said throttle valve sleeve extends inwardly to a position to close the port from the sleeve extension G8, of the valve casing, the side thereof adjacent the port inlet 69, through said par tition and on its opposite side being provided with a port 71 therethrough, adapted to register With the port in said valve casing, its shown, a lever 72, is eng:-iged on said throttle valve outside the casing frame, to rotate the throttle when desired, approiv imately through 180o, thus reversing the ports to enable said engine to rotate in either direction, or at 90o cutting off the inlet and stopping the engine.

llithin the valve casing is a shiftable valve cut-off comprising a segment shaped member 73, cored on opposite sides to afford inlet or exhaust chamber, the periphery of said memller being cut away or reduced to permit a partial rotation thereof in the valve casing as shown in Figure 13, an abutment T4, being provided in said valve casing, one on each side thereof, and affording stops to limit the adjustment of the valve cut-off 73, to properly proportion the size of the inlet and exhaust chambers for maximum eilt cicncy in Whichever direction the rotation of 'the engine may be affected, said member being symmetrical and provided on each side with an extension of equal length to engage said abutinents at the proper limit of adjustment, the chambers on each side of the valve block communicating into the throttle sleeve on either side of the partition. As shown also, the valve casing 65, is provided with a peripheral slot at the rear side thereof, and secured on the valve cutoff 73, and extending outwardly through said slot is a slotted arm 75, connected with the inner end of the shifting rod 76, thev outer end of which eX- tends through the casing frame, and is provided With means for manual engagement. rlhe abutments 74, may be omitted and the adjustment of the valve cut-olf limited by the length of the slot in the valve casing as also shown in Figure 13.

rl`he operation is as follows:

Pressure is admitted through the valve casing and valve block and through the abutment, then at inlet position with reference to the valve block, and in which the piston is then inclined to cover the port through the abutment receiving the inlet, as for example, the piston in the lower cylinder shown in Figure 4.

rllhe pressure exerted on said piston acts against the forl 42, extending transversely the shaft of said piston, and which is secured to the bearing shaft on which the engine is journalled, and rotation is produced in said cylindern lWhen the lower piston above referred to is at inlet position, the other piston is nearing its cutoff position, but the pressure therein is still acting eX- pansively, While, of course, on the opposite side of each of said pistons, the exhaust is taking place, and it will be seen that there is no dead-center position for said engine, as one or both pistons is always receiving a pressure. effectively from one or the other of its pressure chambers, and such pressure must continue until the other piston has started its movement from its initial pressure position. As the engine rotates, the forks 42, on each piston, which are rotatably secured on the non-rotative brackets or crank arms 18, also rotate in its bearing the pressure reacting against the saine to cause rotation of the engine as the piston oscillates freely from side to side to its extreme limits on its shaft 39, Which holds the piston to its seat on the abutment as pressure is alterna-tethrough the sleeve extension on the 'valve casing, and thefports through the said partition into register with one of the valve chambers which in that adjustment serves as the inlet side. The valve cut-off is 'then adjusted by means oi'f the. rod 7th to altordth'e proper cut-oli. ln this position7 the operation of the engine is as before described, the exhaust,

however, passinp` tlnough the exhaust port into theV engine frame casina'. and then escaping` through the exhaust pipe 282 which is shown on the opposite side ot 'the casing from the engine proper and also constitutes an operating handle. lt it be desired to stop the engine, the throttle valve may be rotated by means of the lever 72:. to close both the inlet and exhaust ports throuejh the sleeve extensionot the valve casing7 or the engine may be reversed by rotating said throttle to approximately 180O 'from its tormer running position, at which time, the inlet port from the throttle valve will comn'iunicate with the port on the opposite side of the sleeve extension of the valve casing, While the port through said extension .tormerly blocked, is now open in register with the exhaust port oi the throttle valve. or in other Words, the opposite adjustment from that illustrated. in Figure 13. Oi: course Where `the device is utilized for portable purposes in operating),l tools, a suitable hose pipe connected with the inlet. and it desired, the exhaust pipe also, and will permit the tool to be moved about as the Work requires.

in the construction illustrated, the pinion 64, Which rotates With the engine. drives to the gears 63, both ot which are in mesh therewith and jour-milled in the gear case. an d the pinions rigidly secured on said gears. mesh with the gear 60. secured on the chuck *16. to rotate the saine, oivinev to the double Ireared drive thus afforded or double geared drive stress on bearings and gear teeth much reduced and Wear and breakage and repair avoided, said chuck of course7 may be or' any preferred kind of construction such as commonly used on pneumatic tools, or any other preferred type.

Vf hen the tool is applied to its work, pressure may be exerted by means of the handles 54:, radially extending from the upper end of the thrust shaft, or the inlet and exhaust connections which serve as handles, to press the tool into its work, or to 'ary the pressure. Conveniently, however. the pressure may he applied to practically any desired extent by means of any of the ivcll known clamping' devices, such as the so-ci lled old man heretofore used for such purposes, the upper arm of which is engaged by the center point on the upper end ot said thrust bar, and the tool pressed to its work by rotation of ihe thrust bar by means or said handles.

It is to be observed that all parte olf the device are readily and quickly accessible owing to the construction oi? the casino .frame and the simplicity oi construction, which permits quick removal ot the entire engine and installation of another similar engine. in some instances with larger engines l omit the yoke 38, and secure the ends o'l the shalt -ll, in suitable seats in the cylinder Walls passing the ends or' the shal't through the piston tiange for that purpose. 'lhe nioinentun'i oit the entire mass ot the engine is utilized Ator driving purposes, thus enabling high elliciency to be obtained with relatively light weight, and furthermore that the drive is at all times positive under the pressure applied.

It is to be understood that numerous details of construction may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent to be granteib otherwise than necessitated by the prior arl'.

l claim as my invention:

l. A device oi the kind desiiribed comprisingl a plurality oli cylinders adapted to rotate about a. common axis a piston rotating,r with each cylinder and oscillatable therein, and valve mechanisms between adjacent cylinders having portions thereoil connected to said cylinders.

2. A device ot the kind described comprising a pair of cylinders arranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each cylinder rotatingl therewith and oscillatable therein, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto, and a valve member havingl ports therein adapt-cd to register with ports in the said block.

3. fr device ot the kind described comprising, a pair ot cylinders arranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each o vlinder rotating therewith and osvillatablc therein, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto. a valve ineinber haring ports therein adapted in regir-ler with ports in the said block, and bearinfr means 'for supporting the outer ends ol' the cylinders.

A device oli the kind described comprising,l a rotating); cylinder` a piston rotatingr therewith and oscillatable about a diameter of the cylinder. a member secured to the piston and pivotally mo iable thereto about :in axis substantially perpendicular to said llll diameter, a shaft secured to said member substantially perpendicularly to said axis, a stationair)v bearing member t'or said shaft adapted to hold the latter obliquely with respect to the axis of rotation of the cylinder, and a bearing on said bearing member tor supporting the cylinder at the end adjacent said shaft.

5. l device of the kind described compris'- ing a rotating cylinder, valve gear adjacent one end thereof', a stationary shaft projecting through the other end of thecylinder and adapted to support such end, a piston within said cylinder, pivoted connections between the piston and the cylinder and a rotatable member within the cylinder., and a bearing within the cylinder rigidly secured to said shaft for carrying said rotatable member, the axis of rotation of said member in said bearing being obliquely arranged with respect to the axis of rotation ot' the cylinder.

6. A, device of the kind described comprising a rotating cylinder, a piston movable therein, a valve member secured to and rotating with the cylinder having ports therein, a valve casing having inlet and exhaust connections thereto and ports adapted to register with the first ports, means for reversing the connections between the inlet and exhaust connections and the ports in the casing, and means for simultaneously changing the effective length of the latter ports.

7. A device of the kind described comprising a rotating valve member having ports therein, a second valve member having inlet and exhaust connections thereto and ports adapted to register with the first ports, means for reversing the connections between the inlet and exhaust connections and the ports in the second valve member, and means for simultaneously changing the effective length of the lattez` ports.

8, A device of the kind described comprising a pair of cylinders adapted. to rotate about a common axis, a valve mechanism for connecting the cylinders, and a piston in each cylinder, said piston being oscillatable about axes in substantially7 perpendicular planes.

9. A device of the hind described comprising a pair of cylinders adapted to rotate about a common axis, a valve block therebetween for admitting` fluid to both cylinders, a yieldingly mounted valve casing, and means for rigidly supporting the outer ends ot the cylinders.

10. A device of the kind described comprising a pair of cylinders adapted to rotate about a common axis coincident with the centers ot the cylinders, a valve mechanism between the cylinders and an oscillatable piston in each of said cylinders, said pistons being oscillatable on axes in perpendicular planes.

11. A device of the kind described comprising a casing, a pair of cylinders adapted to rotate about a common axis arranged within the casing, means tor rigidly supporting the outer ends of the cylinders from the casing, a valve block between the cylinders for admitting fluid to both cylinders, and a valve casing therefor yieldingly supported by the casing.

12. A device of the hind described comprising a pair of cylinders adapted to rotate about a conmion axis, a valve block therebetween for admitting fluid to both cylinders, and a valve casing for' said block, said vali/e block having fluid passages therein of greater cross section than the area of the ports in the valve block.

13. A device or the kind described comprising a rotating cylinder', a valve bloclr rotating therewith adapted to admit fluid into the cylinder, and a valve member for said block, said valve bloot: having fluid passages therein of greater cross section than the area of' the ports in the valve block.

14. A device of the hind described comprising a cylinder, a rotating valve block therefor' having ports therein, a valve member having inlet and exhaust connections thereto and ports adapted to register with the first ports, means for reversing the said connections with the second ports, and means for changing the effective length. of the second ports to allow proper cutoff and unrestricted exhaust in both posi.- tions of said connections.

15. A device of the kind described comprising a cylinder, a rotating valve block therefor having ports therein, a valve casing having inlet and exhaust connections thereto, a fixed abutment on the casing bearing` against one side of the block and an arcuate member between the opposite side of the block and the casing adapted to move about the axis of the block to vary the effective length of the ports formed in the casing between the ends of said member and said abutment, means for reversing` the inlet and exhaust connections to the ports, and means for moving said arcuate member to allow proper cut-olil and unrestricted exhaust in both positions of said connections.

16. A device of the kind described com` prising a pair of cylinders arranged to rotate about a common axis, a piston in each cylinder rotating therewith and oscillatable therein, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto having :tour ports therein substantially apart, and a valve member having ports therein adapted to register with the ports in said bloclr.

17. A device of the kind described comprising a casing, a pair of cylinders therein adapted to rotate about a common axis, iearings for the outer end of the cylinders carried by the casing, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto,

missie norte therein substantially 900 apart, antL a valve ine-ir r having ports therein adapted to re ster with the ports ii aid bloei;T the i borts in said ualve member h ing all lor @er `he valve block trier-eli;Y

ters. V'

. in engine ot the dass d( nrisino a -,air olf axially aligne cylinder.

than the distance b rotatable abou their lon e il wis, eh or said @blind rs closed a piston in enel i i ,Y earth end and a cyl nder rotating therewith and oscillatable therein.

20, Vein engine of the class described coinprising a rotatable cylinder, a piston moin able therein, a valve member seoured to ar d rotating with the cylinder haring ports therein, a second valve member having; inlet and exhaust Connections thereto and having ports adapted to register with the dist ports, and means for changing the effective length ot the ports in the second member.

2l. ein engine ot the Class described comprising a rotatabie valve member having ports therein, valve member haring inlet and exhaust connections thereto and having ports adapted to register With the lirst 1ports, means `tor simultaneonsljT chang ng the effective length ot the ports in the second member.

2Q. An engine ot the class described comprising a pair of cylinders aligned With one another and rotatable about their longitudinal axes` a valve block rigidly7 connected between said cylinders and rotatable therewith, a valve casing therefor, and bearings 'for rigidly supporting the outer ends oit the cylinders for rotation thereoirx a unit.

23. An engine oit the class described comprising a pair of cylinders aligned with one another and rotatable about their longitudinal axes, and bearings :tor rigidlg7 sup porting the outer ends ot the cylinders Afor rotation thereol" as a unit.

24. An engine ot the class described eeniprising a 'pair of cylinders one at each end and longitudinalljfv aligned, said Cylinders rotat-able as a unit about their longitudinal axis., valve mechanism interposed between seid cylinders controlling the inlet and outlet thereof, and an axial bearing provided tor said cylinders at each end thereof.

25. An engine of the class described com ii -i 1e lilo/ii :02's ha adr l and limoni I and ralre wenn? ila-rotor nunmal hy said erlinile: haring a pi'ton nk bloeit Ecm said :ind outily mouw notion ,1 in the `he area e bloeit ior s id ai' oVlg the el; described a cyli i rastre about itsr loagi airis.. a van* z i cylinder, auher therefor not rota hl e theretherethroua l ai the Valve lilo( i, a

res lilable Vfluid inlet eonneeiion on said ralre member, a snrlaee thereof suhjert to the pressure ot the fluid tendait: lo hohl the Valve member Sterling; on the valve bleek and oit greater area than the ron'iponeat litt area et the ralre member passages tendine; to litt '..iber troni the bloeit.

Y 1g a` rotin` ire cylinder, a ralve hlm-h retetahle thermr o. :1n-:l haring ports lairriirn a Valve easiw" airing inlet and exhaust eniiections hereto and ports adapted lo regis and b ter with said ports in said 'valve hlowlr.. ineens "or ehanui n' the eileetwe length ot the intare ports.

iin engine oit t ie ei: se :l isaerilad coinprisi rotative cylind valve bloeit h larme; ports 'o rigidlj, assoeia'ti ther-eri Y therein, a Valve i havi in; inlet and exhaust conne tiene thereto in whit-h said valve lileelfi adapted to rotate, a lifted aiuniient or the easing hearing against one 'side oi the lflot'l" 1 red member he- .meen the opposite me easing adapte( lo new .i ont La, axis et the hh l o wary t t L i the ports ermee in the easing herveen the end oit' said ineniher a 1d said alnitinent.

iin engine ot the class described eoa1- prising a rotative cylinder, a valve hloel; rigidly associated therewith having ports therein, a valve member having inlet and exhaust connections thereto relative to which said Valve .Jloelr is adapted to rotate, a lined abutment on the ineniber baring he ellcctive length ol against one side of the block, a movable means between the opposite side of the block and the member adapted to move about the axis of the block to vary the eective length of the ports in the member between the end of said movable means and said abutment, and means for moving said means to allow proper cutoff and unrestricted exhaust in both positions of said connections.

3l. An engine of the class described comprising a pair of cylinders longitudinally aligned and adapted to rotate about a common longitudinal axis, a piston in each cylinder rotating therewith and oscillatable therein, a valve block between the cylinders and rigidly connected thereto, a pair of ports for each cylinder in said valve block, said ports of a pair substantially 180 degrees apart, and a valve casing having ports therein adapted to register with the ports in said block during rotation thereof.

32. An engine of the class described comprising a rotatable cylinder adapted to rotate about its longitudinal axis, a piston movable therein, and a valve block associated with said cylinder for rotation therewith and having ports therein controlling the inlet and outlet from said cylinder, with said ports disposed substantially 180 degrees apart, and a relatively stationary valve member having ports therein adapted to register with the ports in said block at predetermined, intervals during rotation thereof.

33. In an engine of the class described a valve block, a valve casing therefor, ports in said casing and block adapted to register with one another during rotation of the valve block in the casing, and a yieldable connection to said valve casing of greater area than the area of the ports therein whereby the valve casing is held tightly against the valve block by the pressure of the fluid being admitted.

34. In an engine of the class described comprising a frame, a revolving engine, a valve block with ports therein revolving with said engine, a stationary valve member with ports adapted to register with ports in the valve block, yieldable connections between the stationary valve members and the frame so arranged that the fluid pressure keeps the valve balanced and seated.

85. In an engine of the class described a rotating cylinder, a piston rotating therewith, and oscillating about a transverse diameter of the cylinder substantially balanced on its axis of oscillation.

36. In an engine of the class described a cylinder rotative about its longitudinal axis, a valve block having passages therethrough communicating into said cylinder, and said passages of varying diameter increasing in size' toward the point of communication with the cylinder.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM C. NICHOLSON.

Witnesses:

LEROY D. KILEY, CHARLES W. HILLS, J r.

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