US2365756A - Valveless steam distribution - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 26, 1944. V "v, E HAsTlNGs 2,365,756

VALVELESS STEAM DISTRIBUTION Filed July 20, 1943 Patented Dec.` 26, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,365,756 VALVEIIESS STEAM DISTRIBUTION Victor E. Hastings, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July 20, 1943, Serial No. 495,505v 1 Claim. (CI. 121-101) This invention is a steam engine having a valveless steam distributing system.

This invention has forvan object to provide a structural system which totally eliminates all moving valve elements "other than the power piston which is provided with rigid elements for the function of admitting steam (or` other eX- pansive power medium) to a double action principle power chamber for the propulsion of the piston on its every stroke,. and the invention further involving the principle in and by which the piston itself forms the single part consti-. tuting means for automatic uncovering of certain exhaust ports at the completion of each power stroke.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a steam engine of a minimum number of movable parts, and to provide a steam engine in which the piston constitutes not only the power transmitting member lbut also is the sole means for the distribution, that is admission and exhaust, of the expansive fluid medium power source.

, Further, an object is to provide a simple, practical and reliable means for priming the engine and for the relief of |'back pressure in the possible event that 4the piston should Vcome to rest after a period of useful operation in such positions that it could not start initial power stroke.

An additional object is to provide a steam engine of simple, rugged and low cost construction, and devoid of complex and fragile small operating elements.

The invention consists in certain advancements n the art of expansive, power fluid engines as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects and advantages as hereinafter developed, and whose construction, combinations and details of means, and the lmanner of operation will be made :manifest in the following description of the herewith illustrative embodiment, it being understood that modifications, 'variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, spirit and principle of the invention as it is more particularly claimed in the addendum.

Figure 1 is an axial section of the engine. showing thevpiston at the left-hand limit of stroke.

Figure 2 is a -broken-away end view of the engine to show the priming and the relief valves.

Figure 3 is a detail showing the priming valve in open position.

The engine includes a power piston 2 which has an axial length nearly equal to one-half i nected by a steam drum I'I.

the length of the steam chamber 3 of the engine cylinder 4 and which cylinder is medially surrounded by an annular exhaust pocket 5 having an annular series of exhaust ports 6 through the wall of the cylinder into the steam chamber 3.

The series of ports 6 is located about on the mid cross-p1ane of the cylinder and are of a length to be fully uncovered by the piston at either of its eXtreme positions whereby to effect a rapid and full exhaust of the steam chamber at each piston stroke.

From one end of the piston extends a conventional piston rod 1.

Fixed rigidly to, and extending from, each end of the piston is a pair of coplanar tail rods 8--9 reciprocating in respective port holes Ill-I I in the opposite cylinder heads I2 of the engine chamber 3. Immediately adjacent to the ends of the piston the rods 8-9 have passageways I3 which lie in the holes Ill-II when the piston has carried the tail rods into register with the respective heads I2 of the engine.

The heads. I2 constitute the inner walls of end steam chests I4 and I6 longitudinally con- The tail rod steam passageways I3 are of such length that when they are moved by the piston into therespective steam chests I4 and IB ample flow capacity is had for full head of steam into the clearances I8 in the heads I2. The piston then moves away from the communicated steam head and the passageways I3 thereat shift inward as to the relative head and cut-off steam, and thereafter the piston is motivated by the expanding steam trapped on its last loaded end. As the piston reaches the end of its stroke., say to the right hand, Fig, 1, its left hand end will uncover the centrally located series oi exhaust ports Ii and exhaust is effected. About concurrently with the opening of the exhaust ports by the piston body the tail rod passageways I3, now those on the right hand end of the piston, will run into the right hand end steam ychest I 6 and live steam will be admitted to the right hand end of the steam chamber 3 and the piston will be driven toward the left hand side.

When the engine is stopped it is possi-ble that the piston 2 will .be in a position such that its steam passageways I3 will not be in either of the steam chests. In that event steam can be admitted directly to the desired end of the chamber 3 by way of a simple priming valve 20 leading from its respective steam chest; there beingsuch a valve for each chest. Each cylinder head has a simple relief valve yor cock 2I to be opened when priming steam drives the piston toward its end of the engine. These valves are normally closed.

What is claimed is:

A steam engine including a. mid-length exhaust cylinder having a head at each end and a steam chest on each head, a piston Working in the cylinder and having an axial piston rod, and tail rods rigidly xed on each end of the piston and reciprocating through the said heads and chests;

said tail rods having diametrical, axially unob- 10

Images