US287897A - Gas-engine - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) I 3 ShetS Sheet I.

C. W. BALDWIN. GAS ENGINE.

No. 281897. Patented Nov. 6. 1883..

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- U. W. BALDWIN.

GAS ENGINE. No. 287.897.-

Patented Nov. 6, 1883.

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GAS ENGINE.

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Uivirnn ST TES 'ATENT FFIClE-o CYRUS W BALDWIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 287,897, dated November 6, 1883.

' l 1 Application filed September 15, 188:3. (No model.)

To rtZZ whom, it may concern: I Be it known that 1, CYRUS W. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and 4 useful Improvements in GasEngines, of which the following is aspecification. My invention relates to "certain improve- 3 ments in gas-engines, aud'in the mode of intro- "ie ducing and exploding the charge and operating the engine, all fully described hereinafter,

whereby I am enabled to secure increased certainty and efficiency, and better regulate the operations than with the methods and means heretofore employed. p

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan in part section of one form of engine embodying my improvements. Fig. 2isasideelevation. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation, looking from the rear. Fig. 4 is'a detached section of the pipes conneoted with measuring apparatus. Fig. 5 is a View illustratingthe igniting apparatus. invention is illustrated in the drawings I as embodied in a single-acting engine having a cylinder, A, closed at both ends, a piston,

B, a pump, 0, the plunger 0 of which is connected by a rod, 0, directly with an arm extending from the cross-head B, and an air casing or chest, Gas passes through pipes d 0 and?) to the inlet port a of the pump 0, and l air passes to the pipe 11 through an opening, agraduated hy'means of a screw-cap, b, and spring check-valves b c prevent the backward flow of each fluid; The gaseous mixture is 5 drawninto the pumpby thei'orward motion l of the plunger, and onthe backward motionmeans of avalve, d, which may be set by hand,

control of a governor, D, operated by the engine, to the rod (1 or which the valve is directly attached. The air-chamber E has airinlet ports h, closed by aflapwalvafl, and com- .munieatcs through a channel, 9', (dotted lines, Fig. 2,) withthe forward end of the main cylinde so that as the piston of the latter moves air will be drawn into the case E and of the cylinder A, and as it moves forward it and compres d in said'case. The caseE commu nicates with the rear. end of the cylinder A l is forced through a port, c,'into the main cyl-- inder, the flow of the gas being regulated by but for most purposes is preferably under the '11 be forced from the cylinder A' V I through-a port, in which is a' check-valve,

i, and at or near the forward end of the cylinder A is an exhaust-port, L, through which the spent gases are discharged by the pressure of air entering the cylinder from the case E as soon as saidports are uncovered by the piston. To prevent the admission of air through the exhaust-port into the forward end of the cylinder as the piston moves back, said piston is provided with an arm, L, which projects forward sufficiently to cover the port N dur ing the back movement of the piston, a hollow extension, N, on the forward cylinder-head receiving. the arm L as the piston moves forward.

The pump 0 is provided with aspring-valve,

e, fitted"to a seat at the end of the pump-cylinder, and with a plunger the endof which is fiat, so that when the two are in contact there shall be no space between them, the plunger moving back sufficiently to lift the valve c off its seat at the termination of each stroke, and

the valve following the plunger and taking its seat before there is any separation of the valve and plunger, so as to insure absolutely the complete discharge of the contents of the cylinder O at each stroke and an accurate measurement of the charge, as setforth in the Let'- ters Patent No. 276,750, granted to me May 1,

son, the air in the cylinder A is being com- I pressed therein as the contents of the pump are also forced into the cylinder, so that there is a greater pressure in the latter at the termination of the stroke than would resultfroni 1883. As the plunger and piston movein uni- I ward motion of the piston, whether it results from the explosion or from momentum, the

rush of airthrough the phrt j into the rear end of the cylinder discharges the contents of the latter, through the port N before the piston moves back, and a new charge is introduced onthe next rear motion of the piston, so that there can be no irregular act-ion from the mixing of two charges, which is apt to occur inordinary engines, where in case of a charge failing to explode it combines to a greater or less extent with that next introduo'edi 1 The pump 0 may be used to measure off the gas-I alone, as set forth in my aforesaid patent; but. owing to the comparatively small proportion of gasrequired, and to the difficulty of measof air, constituting a non-explosive mixture of such character and proportions that when mixed with the air-charge already in the cylinder it will form therewith a working-charge of the desired explosive character. By thus measuring off and introducing a non-explosive mixture I avoid all danger of premature explosions, prevent the flame running through the ports to the pump withouttbe use of safetymeshes, and measure the charge more accurately than would be otherwise possible. It will be apparent that this mode of securing charges of uniform character may be employed in connection with different forms of engines and by the use of other appliances than those described, it only being essential to measure off a non-explosive mixture of air and gas, having a definite proportion to air in the cylinder, and to then introduce the mixed charge into the cylinder, or, if desired, into an intermediate reservoir, from which it is withdrawn as required, there being danger neither of explosion nor ignition. In connection with the accurate measurement of the charge I am enabled to regulate the speed and power of the engine to the work to be performed with out, as heretofore, suspending or diminishing the explosions. Thus within certain limits, by measuring off a charge containing a less proportion of gas, I secure in the working-cylinder an explosive mixture, but less effective than one having a greater amount of gas, so that the explosions are continued and the uniform character of the operations maintained, but with lesseffect and with a corresponding diminution of the quantity of gas employed.

The regulation of the gas is effected in the engine described by the adjustment of the valve d,- and I prefer to construct the latter so that it cannot be completely closed, thereby insuring thepassage of sufficient gets under all circumstances to secure an explosion, thus avoiding the running down or stoppage of the engine, or the irregular action resulting from the.

occasional cessation of explosions. When the proportion of gas is controlled by the governor, each charge measured off may contain a greater or less proportion of gas, so as to insure explosions of greater or less power, ac-

cording as the engine tends to diminish or in- .crease its speed. By these means I am enabled to run the engine-at different speeds, but with as uniform a motion when the speed is low aswhen operatingat a high velocity. As the proportion of gas to air is comparatively small, very slight changes in theamount introduced into the charge will greatly modify the action of the engine. It is therefore necessary to construct the valve d so as to vary the flowto the small degree desired. This I do by making the valve conical and moving it -in a slightly larger round port, as, which is very gradually obstructed or opened by the movement of the valve. The mixed gases, instead of being forced into the air in the-cylinder as the latter is being compressed, may be introduced, after the spent gases have been expelled, while the air is passing into the cylinder prior to compression.

The air may be taken from a reservoir of air under compression instead of using the piston B to compress it, and the pump or other measuring device may be otherwise arranged and operated than as above described.

' I have found it very desirable, not only to secure the best explosive effect, butalso to insure certainty of explosion,,to thoroughly mix the gases constituting the explosive charge before exploding the same. It will be apparent that if the most powerful and best explosive mixture is one part of gas to twelve of air, the. engine will operate inefficiently if the charge is exploded whenthe gas has combined with only half the quantity of air provided for it, or in the proportion of one part of gas to six, of air. I have used different means of insuring this thorough mixture, but'have found the best results to ensue by injecting the gas or air, or both, into the cylinder at a tangent, or in such manner as to insure a rapid circulation of one past the inlet-opening or current of the other. Thus the gas-charge port 0' is at an angle to a radial line drawn from the center of the cylinder, and the air-inlet port j enters the cylinder on a curve, asshown, so that as the air rushes in it willacquire a whirl, which will continue as the piston moves back, and the. current will rapidly pass the port 0, the inflowing gases from which will thus be rapidly and intimately mixed with the air. Instead of the ports being at an angle, the gases. may be directed against wings or blades that will deflect them and impart the desired whirling motion.

a The intimate admixture of the gases is essential to the proper explosion of the charge, especially when electricity is employed for effecting the explosions, as the charge will not ignite by the electric spark unless the gases are mixed in the proper proportions. In effecting the ignition by electricity I use an igniter consisting of a plug, F, of metal, containing an insulating material, or a plug of insulating material-as china, clay, or other material or compositionand carrying two wires, k k, terminating in electrodes, between which passes the spark generated by a battery or ignition at a particular point of the stroke, for

which purpose I use means whereby to produce the spark at the instant desired, and to break the circuit except when the spark is required These features maybe embodied in different arrangements, that shown in Fig. 5 having proved to be very effective.

L is the battery; M, the induction-coil; N, the rheotome or circuit-breaker, with suitable wire connections between the battery, condenser, and i gniter. A rod, 0, is connected at one end from the same and establish the current. The

desired limited movement of the lever O is efieted by a knuckle, a, on the shaft 0 and corresponding knuckle, n, on the lever O, the rotation of the shaft bringing the knuckles in contact and momentarily swinging back the lever and establishing the current. To per- 'mit' the spark to be made at any desired point of the stroke, the lever or knuckles should be adjustable. Thus the knuckle amaybe on a band, a", encircling the axle, and capable of being turned thereon and fixed after adjustment in any position. Ihave found that the best results ensue from igniting the charge when the same is under the greatest pressure, which is generally when the piston is at the limit of its rear movement and the crank is on or nearly on the dead-center, and that when this is the adjustment the engine will work equally well in both directions, the operations being continued, whichever way the engine may be started.

It will be seen that in the engine above described there are no valves operating under pressure or requiring actuating mechanism, all the ports, channels, and openings, except 'the exhaust-ripening, being controlled by selfact-ing cl1eck-valves, while the exhaust has no other valve than the piston and its arm. I

thus avoid the loss of power from friction, and the uncertain action and constant supervision resulting from the use of ordinary valve arrangements.

By the use of an electrical igniter having its electrodes projecting beyond the inner walls of the cylinder, I am enabled to ignite the charge at or near the center instead of at the side, as heretofore, so as to secure the outward radial spread of the combustion, and a more certain, rapid, and effective combustion than when the ignition is nearer the wall or head of the cylinder. By the use of an electrical igniter in connection with means for rapidly mixing the gases, I am enabled to avoid igniting the gases before they are thoroughly mingled, but can explode them the instant the proper admixture is eiiected.

The plug F is preferably constructed with screw-threads fitting the threaded opening in the cylinder, or otherwise; or the electrodes are movable in the plug, so that said electrodes may be varied in position to enable them to be set to insure initial ignition at the best point of the stroke. It will be apparent, however, that in some instances an ignitingflame, or an incandescent bodyheated to a dame or otherwise, may be substituted for the electric-spark or coilignitern I do not here claim the igniting devices and their operating appliances herein described,

as the same will constitute the subject-matter of a separate application for Letters Patent.

I claim 1. The improvement in supplying the ex plosive charge-to gasengin'cs, consisting in introducing air into the working-cylinder, making a separate non-explosive mixture of air and gas, then introducing the same into the cylinder in such regulated volume as wilhwith the air in the cylinder, constitute an explosive charge, and then exploding the same in contact with the piston, substantially in the manner set forth.

2. The method of regulating the speed an power of gas-engines by measuring off and introducing separately from the contents of the working-cylinder definite charges of gas and air, in which the proportion of the gas is varied to correspond to the power required,

substantially as and by the means set forth.

3. The combination, with a gas-engine, of means for measuring air and gas in regulated proportions and definite volumes,for introducing said measured volumes successively as part of the charges in the main cylinder, to form an explosive charge therein, and then igniting the latter after the entire volume of gas is introduced, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with a gas-engine, of a measuring device and means for supplying it p with gas and air in regulated proportions, a cylinder and means for supplying it with air after the operation of each explosive charge, and connections whereby the measured charge of gas and air is forced into the air in the cylinder to form the explosive charge, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, in a gasengine, of a measuring device, and means, substantially as described, for supplying the same with a regulated non-explosive mixture of air and gas, a power cylinder and connections with said measuring devi cc, and ports and adjusting appliances whereby to supply said c'ylinderwith air and with the gas mixturein proportions to constitute an explosive charge, and an igniter for exploding the charge in contact with the piston, substantially as set forth.

6.- The combination, with a gas-engine, of a device whereby a definite measured chargeof gas and air is introduced into the workingcylinder to form an explosive mixture with air therein, a valve regulating the flow of gas to said device, and a governor operated by the engine and operatingsaid valve, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the device for measuring definite proportions of air and gas, of agasinlet, governor, and regulating-valve constructed to insure at all times aflow of gas. to the said device, substantially as set forth.

S. The combination, .with a gas-engine, of a gas-regulating valve adapted to supply a continuous flow of gas to the engine, and a governor to regulate the position of the valve, for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the cylinder of a IIO gas-engine, and means for supplying an aircharge thereto and compressing it therein, of a device for measuring a definite charge of mixed air and gas, and forcing it into the main cylinder as the air is compressed, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of an explosion cylinder and piston, and means for supplying the same with air after each explosion, pump communicating with the cylinder, air and gas pipes communicating with said pump, and means for regulating the flow of air and gas thereto, and connections whereby a definite regulated charge of air and gas is measured by the pump and forced thereby into the work ing-cy1inder, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination of the working-cylinder having an exhaust-port near the forward end and air-inlet port at the rear, means for displacing the spent gases by a current of air carried throughthe cylinder after each explosion, and a measuring device whereby a definite regulated mixture of gas and air is forced into the air thus introduced, and means for igniting the charge after the compression thereof, substantially as set forth. I 12. The combination, with the cylinder having an exhaust-port near the forward end, and

an air-chamber communicating, with the for inlet and gas-inlet ports set at an angle to the inner walls, situated at different points thereof, whereby one current is caused to flow past the port through which the opposite current enters, substantially as specified. v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name .to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CYRUS XV. BALDXVIN. \Vitnesses:

H. L. GARRISON, ABRAM 0. Mom.

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