US574535A - Gas-engine - Google Patents

Description

(No Modl.) I V 5 sh-eets -sheetfi. O. L. GROHMANNI.

GAS ENGINE- No. 574,535., I PatentedJan. 5 ,1897.

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(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 4. C. L. GROHMANN. GAS ENGINE No, 574,535. Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

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PATENT .FFIGE.

GAS-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 574,535, dated January 5, 1897.

Application fina mm. 31, 1896.. Serial m1. 535,647. on Mann '!'0 all whom it ihwy'concern:

Be it known that LOARL L. GRQHMAN'N, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of 5 Connecticut, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas -Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to'gas-engincs, and

more particularly to that class known as exinvention is to provide an engine which, as eom'paredwith analogousdevices of this chara-rter; tionpagndjto furnish the samewith an im- .15

f anisms,'injconneetion with improved andefi fective means for making-and supplying gas-- eons fluid 'to' the engine, whereby an explogsionat each revolution of its crank-shaft is btained, thus constituting a continuouslybperating engine without requiring a multizplicity of independently-actuatin g pistons.

Iii the drawings accompanying and form-.

ing a part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical sectional view of this improved en- 'gine, partly in elevation. Fig. 2 is a righthand side view thereof, showing in dotted lines aliquid-reservoir, a pump, and an overflow-tank in operative connection therewithmoved. 'Fig. '3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the valve-chest and evaporator, taken in linea a, Fig. 1, and looking toward the left hand. .Figs tt, 5, 6, and 7 are vertical sectional views similar to the view shown in Fig.1 with portions of the operating mechanism removed and illustrating different positionsof the piston and the valve mechanisms. Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical sectional views similar. to Fig. 1 with'parts of the device removed'and showing another construction of means for regulating the flow of gas- 'eQusfluid from the compression-chamber to the working chamber of the piston-cylinder; and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the valve-chest, substantiallytakenin lines a a, Fig. 1, and looking toward the left hand and showing apart of the piston-cylinder 1n elevation.

Similar charactersdesignate like parts n all the-'figuresof the drawings.

This improved explosive gas-engine ecm'.

plosive gas-engines; and the object of the w lljbe simple and efieetive in construe-- proved organization of piston and val ve mechand having the pulley-wheel and governor reprises in a general way a closed casing or cylingchamber, and in which a compound piston, (designated generally by A,) comprising a working piston and a compression-piston, reeiprocates, an evaporator or gas-producing device (designated generally by B) and operatively connected with suitable meansforsupplying itwith a suitable fluid, means or mechanism (designated generally by C) for controllingthe fiowof'gaseous-fiuid from the cointhe wor.king chamber thereof, and suitable latin g the action of the en gine.

the valves-may be widely varied without departure from the scope of my in vent-ion.

In the preferred form thereof herein shown and described the engine-which, inthe present instance, is shown as of the? upright pattern-comprises a closed easing of any suitable construction, preferably, however, in the nature of a cylinder 1 and preferably of dilfercntia-l diameters. Reciprocating with in this cylinder is a compound, preferably chambered, piston A, comprising a working piston 2 and 'a compression-piston 3, which, however, in its preferred form is constructed as one member and which may be provided in the usual manner withsuitable ring-packings (notshown) adjacent to the working faces thereof. This compound piston, which is likewise 0E dilierential diameters to correspond with the dilferential diameters ofthe cylinder, separates said chambered casing or .ment 4-, and in the preferred form thereof it is preferably disposed at the upper end thereinder embodying 'a compression and a work-- pression-chainber of the'piston-cylinder to 5 means (designated generally by D) for regu- It will be understood that the various details of constructi msnch, for instance, as the particular construction and disposition of cylinder into a working compartmentor chamof and comprises a spring-actuated valve operativcly connected by a swinging orpivot-v ally-supported lever 11 and a suitable connccting-rod'lB to an eccentric 10, disposed on the crank-shaft 7,. whereby, at' a certain predetermined period in the reciprocation of the plstonthe valve will be opcned to permit the outflow of the'products t combustion, a.s-

hereinbc fore set forth. This valve com prises.

in a general way, a. valve member 13, a stem ll, extending through the 'upperwall of the casing, and a spring 15, intermediate said well, and a. collar or disk 16 on the upper end ofthostem whereby the valve member13 is held tightly against its seatlT-in the work ing chamber 4. The swinging or pivota lever 11 is bifurcated at its inner end and pivot- Kbust'io'n away from the engine.

ally connccted to an 'inverted-cup-shaped member or sleeve 18, inclosing the upperend of thevelve-stem 14-, whereby on the downward movement oft-he slcevelS the stem It will be depressed to actuate or-depress the valve member 13.

- Asuitable packing 19 may be disposed intermediate the endjof the stem and the upper end of the sleevemomber, if desired. r

' The valve-seat 17 eonsizutes the end of' a. port or passage 20, opening into the working chamber 4 when the-yalve is open and which communicates, with 2 main port or passage lb-adapted. to convey the products of comleading. from the lower end ofthe working chamber 4 is a second eduction port or passage 22, opening into said. main port or passage 31, for assisting the outflow of the products of combustion from said working chamof its downward stroke, for the purpose hereinafter specified. 7 Instead of these ports or passages :23 and 24: a suitable valve might be disposed in the upper end 'ofthe working piston, such asa puppet-valve, and operative'to permit the fresh air to rush into the working chamber in a manner hereinafter set forth in connection with said ports .23 and '24.

Suitably connected with the cylinder adjacentto the cran k-chamber 5', which is preferably a. partof the-cylinder and a closed c-ham- 1 -i;)e|-, amibe1m the compression-piston 3 is'a suitable air inlet o'r induction-valve 25, pref-- erabl y constructed in the nature of a puppetvalrc, comprising the valve member 26, a

ainlfarelativ-ely low-power eompressiol' 's'pring' "2 8,carried thereby, snid stem 1n .snitable'guides 29, adjacent to the 31 of the valve-chamber 32, and said valve being adapted to be actuated by suction. caused amount of air.

suitable overflowt'enk 150, which is opcr eat 30 1,115. the removable cap or closn re.

by the piston. on its reciprocation in a. man

ner hereinafter set'forth.

The guide 29, which is in thenatnre of a -7 o socket, of the closure 21 is. adapted to limit .f

the opening movement of the valve in untanner that will be obvious. 7

Connected w'ith'the cylinder in any suitable manner, preferably in position adjac'entito' botli the working chamber L and the com pres sion-c-hamber 5 (if-the engine; is a valve-chest 35, preferably embodying" a compression; chamber 36. ()perativel y connected with this valve-chest 35, preferably adjacent to the I under side thereof, by anysuitable means,

but herein shown connected thereto hymen-us r of the tubular member '38 of thecvaipora-tor (hereinafter described) and which is provided with a. serew-tl n-eaided'end 38, adapted to en 35 9 gauge a screw-threaded opening in the'valve chest, is anevaporaton or gus-producingdevice B, which may be ofanysuita'ble con'struc-.

tion adapted-for the purpose; but in thcpreferred form shown t comprises a chmnberediigo v casing or cylinder 3 having ages-conductor therein and shown herein in the nnt-urc of a,

tubular member 38, and whichjtubular 'memf,

her is preferably provided with a spiral chap-l net or way 39,:leudihg from its upper toiits I lower end, ,\'h ereb' v the git-cu. of surtace over 3 p which the gas-producing fluid, pr.efcrablygas-. M

olene, is (listribnted'is increascd'and theliquid brought into more intimate contact with the aityand thus-the rapid evaporation oft-lie ioc'r liquid promoted with a f relatively small The inner wall of 'thecvapo' rator-casing mayalsofbc corrugated or provided with a spiral groove or channcl',if (le sired, to increase the vevzqooratin'g snrfaCeQm5 Opening intorthis clnunbere'd casing 37, adJw cent to the upper end thereof, and preferably into an annular ch'aniber' 40'abovc the spiral way '39, is a liquid pipe or con d uctorlgwhich",

is connected with a suitable liquid-reservoir no 100, whereby the liquid is conducted int-0' the upper end of said evaporator and permitted to flow around the tubular member 38011: the spiral wa-y 39,,and, therebyspread topermit it to be evaporated and absorbe-d'by theair 1-.

admitted into the chamber, as abovc stalted. 'lhat'portion of the liqnidwhich is .notevap orated is collectedv in a suitable trough 42,-ad-

,iacent to the bottoni of the tubular member;

3'8, froni which an overflow-pipe 43 leuds to an t'ively connected to the reservoi'ri 1.00 iu any suitable man'uetgsuch as by means or apump 2 themain reservoir.

Connected with the evaporator- 121mmbcras 2 hot-air cond'uctoror pipe 44, lendingt-oanyfl" suitableisource of $11 pply, whereby theili'quid 3 0, for forcing thesurplus liquid backin-td I injected into the evaporator from the resercharacter, such as gasolene, will he vnporiicd" and drawn into the: interior ofjihe' tubular member 38 through apassh'ge '45, where it unites with cold or'freshair-conducted thereto by a suitable cold-air conductor or pipe 46,

and which diluted mixture is then in conditlon to-be supplied to t-he valve-chest.

In order to regulate'the supply of hot and cold or fresh air to the evaporator or gas-producing device B, the hot-air conductor 44- and thecold-air conductor 46 a are each provided with a' suitable valve 47., operated by any suitable means toregulate the supply thereof to the evaporator. These .valves may be of any suitable construction; but in the form shown comprise suitable cocks connected by levers 48 with a. rod 49, the end of which in turn is connected by a lever in the hature of a bell? crank'lever 50, pivotally joined ,to any suit-' able; support, such as the piston-cylinder 1-.

One of the arms or members, as 51, of this bell-crank lever 5 is provided with a bifur cated end 52, having transverse inwardly-extending studs 53, working in a way or groove 54 of a shiftable member 54", non-rotatively carried on the crank-shaft 7, adjacent to the power receivingor transmitting pulley-wheel 55,..whichis also shown carried on said crankshaft 7 for rotation therewith. The hub of this pulley. is shown, carrying suitable governing mechanism for the valves 47, and therebytheugine, and which governin g mechanism, in the preferred form thereof shown, comprises a pair of suitable weighted bell-crank 1 levers or arms 56,-pivotally supported by extending arms 57, carried by the hub 58 of the pulley; I The weighted ends of these arms are connected by a suitable helieal s'pring 59, and the inner ends of' the arms extend into a suitable groove or way 60 of the shiftable mem-' ber 54!, whereby on the rotation of the pulley the governor will shift said shiftahle mom-- ber'54 and by means of theconnecting mechanism thereby actuate the valves 47 to open and close the hot and cold air conductor or pipes,=and thus regulate the inflow of air to the evaporator. It will be understood, however, that instead of having thehot and cold air "alves e7 operatively connected with the governor mechanism such valves may be simply hand-valves and a valve be disposed in the tubular member 38 below the valve 61' and operatively connected with the governor, whereby thefiow of the diluted mixture will be regulated rather than the flow of the hot and'cold'air; It will also be understood,'-however, that any suitable'governing and 0on nectingmechanism, aswell asan'y suitable evaporator or other means, as before stated, adapted forthe purpose specified, may he used, or instead of an evaporator an injector or pump might be used to inject fluid,- such .as gasolene-or' ordinary gas, if desired, into the tubular member. 38-

Connected with he-valve-chest, adjacent the upper end of the tubular member 38 of the evaporator, is a'suitable valve 61, operative on the. downward movement of the piston Abyih'e suction" created thereby to perinit the flow of gaseous fluid from said evaporator through the chamber 36 of thevalvechest and by means of a suitable porter, passage 62 to gthe' compr siou chamber 5 of the pistomcylinder. Thi valve 61' may be" of any suitable co'nstructiong-but "in the preferred form thereof. it is in'the nature of a u mve comprising the "valve member 63 and its stem 64:, having a suitable relatively low power helical spring 65 carried thereon. The upper end of the stem 64 is guidedina suitable aperture or socket 66 of a removable closure or threaded plug67, carried by the 'valve chest, and the lower end -,of i

cycle 'of movements of the apparatus to permit. said working chamber 4 to be supplied with the gaseou'sfluid drawn by the action of pression-chamber 5'of the engine, and in the.

preferred form of one construction thereof this valve mechanism, which is disposed in the valveschest 35, comprises a suitablevalve 70 in position intermediatea passage or port leading .to, the working chamber. 4 and. the chamber 36 0f the valve-chest, through which 'chambenthe' gaseous fluid passes from the 1 evaporator to the compression-chamber 5. of :the, .pist-ou cylinder, and which valve ill its preferred .form comprises a suitable valve the piston from the evaporatorB to said commember 72, adaptedto engage the valve-seat 7 2; a valve-stem 7 3, the upper end of which is guided by a s-uitablesocket 74 in a remov,--'

able closure or cap 75, secured to the valvechest, and by means of: which the opening movement of the'valve is limited, and the lower-end ofr-which stem'is guided in a similar socket 76, carried by the lower wall of said valvechest 35. This stem-73 is provided with a collar or hearing 77, upon which an arm- 79 bears for normally holding the valveclosed, This'arm is shown fixedly secured -to"a shaft 80, journaled in the valve-chest 35,

and which carries, adjacent to its outer end,

a valve-closing lever 81, which is normally operated in onedirection during one part of the cycle'of movements by a relativ'elylowpower spring82. (Shownconnected'sit one end to'the lever'Sl and at its opposite end to 'a' suitable pin or holding device 83 on the valve-casing.) This low-power spring 82 normally holds the valve closed with a relatively light pressure, not sufllcieut. however, to materially oppose the 'passage'of the gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber 5 to the working chamber 4 of the cylinder when it has reached a certain degree of compression Hence in .order to prevent the passageofsnch gaseous fluid when under GOUIPIQSSIOIIIMMII- proper times in thecycle of movements, suitn his means or mechanism operative at certain periods in the movements of the pistonis provided to secure the valve closed with an i'ncreased power- -sueh, for instance, as during the explosion in the working ch'ztinher 4-.--so

, as to prevent-the return of gases and the en- 8? of the lever 81.

trance of the flame to thepasszrges below the ivnlve, and which means or mechanism', in

oneform thereoflcomprises' a; level-actuator es, in the natnrepfn'stem or rod 85, having its upper end guided by an epertured exten sion 86 of the valve-chest-Bli and havingits;

lower end projecting through a perforation 4 This stem has a collar 80, adapted to hear on-saidilever 81,3nd can rise a compression-spring 89 of relativ'elyhigh 1 power acting between said coliar'nnd. the ex,

tension 86 of the val've-chest,- whereby, the

of the gaseous fluid.

r :ive will-he held closed againstithe passage ing this lever-actuator 8i topermit the gaseonsii'uid to o'pen the valve and How into the working chamber at certain periods inthe operation ofi the device, said lever a'ctuatoris connected bysmtabl'e mechanism with the crank-shaft 7, and which mechanism is here-- 111 shown, comprising an ccccntricfiO, carried iipon'said shaft, and a suitable rod :91 having a strap 92 encircling said eccentric QOa-nd having its upper end provided with means,v such as a socketfilfi, adapted to receive the lower end of said lever;-actuator,uwlierehy dnring one period of thecycle of movements] the connecting-rod 91 will be; thrown upward by the eccentric 90, to thereby movojthe leveree'tuzttoI-Bi upward against the pressure of its spri11g.S9,'and thus release the bearing of said actuator npon the lever 81, whercbyithe gaseons fluid nnderipressure will open thevalve 70 against the relatively light'power of its."

spring 82 and permit seid fluid to rush into the port or passage 71, and from then'ce and by means of' a. suitable, passage 95 into the working chamber-4 of the pistoncylin'der to charge the same,'sand fluid being then ignited hy any suitable mean's't'o thereby explode the some in the working chamber 4. The means herein shown for. this purpose consists of n suitable tubularexploder 96, opening into snid passage 95, although it will bfe obvious that it might be located'etany other suitable place, and which in practicewill he kept-sufficiently hot toigmte the gaseous fluid by 5 i .v i 5 of. It will be understood, however, that an y means of a flame'np'p'lied to the outside there- 'other suitable means might be nscdfor this purpose, such a-s'an electric spark.

' In the operation of this i|nproved'explosi\-'e gas-engine, the-liquid having been conveyed toflic evaporator and there vaporized by the hot air and then united with the cold nil-lead;

ing to'snid evaporator, and the. action of the compound piston A on, its downward movernent having causedsnflicient suctionito raise.

'' the valve (iii-which isnlsosomewlmt assisted in its openlng'nioven ent by the. gaseous firm;

As a means for'operetbeneath the valve in the evnporator--thc gaseous fluid is drawn fromthe evaporator through the chamber 36 of the-valve-ehest 3 5 to the compression-chamber 5' of the cylinder 1' until the piston has reached the end-of/its downward stroke, Fig;

chamber 5', and thus causes the se neto rush into the chamber of the compound'piston and "through the port 2* of the working piston, and

into the working chamber lay-means of; the port or passage 23, opening into said chamber and communicating with the working pistonport 24 when said piston'has reached the'limit At the same time SH-id piston compresses the air in the crankof its downward stroke, Fig. 5, and thus re,

place to a great extent the, burnedgztses, said piston having previously uncovered the exhaust or eduction port orphssage 22, lending to the main exhaust port or passage 21, and

sion in the working chamber 4', to pass out through said port, thereby assisting to clear the chamber and also to reduce-the pressure on the exhaust-valve 9,,in order't-o permit the some to be readilyiopened at the proper time.

The forking piston is provided with a dc; fiector 1 1, adztptcdto direct the t'resh air np-.

ward; n'tlie inauguration of the return or 10, rod 1-2, and lever11,\vherehythe fresh air, admitted into .the' \i'orkingchamher through the ports 24, and 23 from thejcrank-chember, forces'on'tthe remaining hurnedgiiscs during, the greater portionof the npward movement of the pistoihto thereby permit'tlie clearing permitted a, portion-of the-products of 001R I bustion, resultant from. the previous expl0- 'upwardstroke of the piston, Fig. 6, the ex-1' henst-ivalve 9 is opened by means of the conneoting mechanism; comprising the eccentric I i .v "'5 i .of thecha-lnber-preparatory to the next'ex-;

plosio n. This upward stroke of the'pistonirl creates a vacuum and a suction-m the cranks- -'fresh air preparatory to compressing'thesame and forcing it into the working chamber .4 by means of the'poi'ts or passages, 24 and 23, as described in connection with Fig.5.

some time the piston during the major por-z chamber {if snllicicnt to openthe fresli-air-inlet valve 25 to fillfsaid crank-chamber with Lion of its .npward stroke greatly compresses I I the gaseous fluid previously conveyed from the evaporator through the valve-chest charm 1 her 36 to the compression-chamber5 0i-the cylinder-and which'substan tially filled hath the cylinder compression chamber 5 and bringing it n nder great com pressionfihe valve predetermined point onthe crankbait is rotated into position and actnatS: the irod 91,v which operates the valve-actuator Si to release the valve 70,

whereby the pressure of' the gaseous fluid.

opens said valve 70 against the pressure of its low-power. spring 82, and thereby permits,-

such fluid to flow into the'passa'gesi l and.95, Fig, 'i, where it is ignited and'exploded in the working chamber to force the piston downcontinued, to thereby permit an explosion at each rotation of the crank-shaft and at the completion or, termination ofveach upward -strokeof the piston, and thus obtain a con- .t-inuous' operation of the apparatus without 1 5 requiring a multiplicity of pistons.

According to another form of means for regulating or controlling the flow of gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber 5 of'the cylinder to. the working chamber 4.- thereof. Figs. 8, .9, and 10,,thezvalve-chest 35 communicates with the cylinder 1 of the engine,

. preferablyadjacenttorhecompression-cham-' ber 5 thereof, by ZIIPOI'BT or passage 62, which leads from a'comnressi-cn-chamber 36 in the valve-chest, substantially similar to the compression-.chamberfiti, Fig.3. Disposed above this passage 62" isa second port or passage 97,'havingits inner end walls preferably flush with the piston, andiwhich passage ends beneath the valve 7 0, whereby, when the valve is open, said passages? communicates with the port or passage 71, leadingto' the'passage 95', which opens into the workingfchamber 4 of the cylinder. v

The compression-piston 3 ieshown provided with a. port 98, whereby,'when the compound piston A has reached a predeterminedv point in its'upward stroke, said port is in position to connect the passages 62 and 97, whereby the gaseous fluid drawn from the evaporator B through the compression-chamber 36' of the valve-chest into the compression-chamber 5 of the cylinder, and which practically filled said chambers 5 and 36' during the downward stroke of the piston and has been compressed back duringthe major portion of the upward stroke of said piston into said valvechest compression-chamber 36 alone, rushes by means of the piston-port 98 into the passage or port 97, Fig. 9, below the valve 70 and opens the same, and thence rushes through the passages 62' and 95' to change the working chamber4= of the cylinder in a similar way *to that. shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7. Suitable packing-rings (not shown) may be disposed on the piston in any suitable way to prevent leakage from one passage to the other. In this construction of apparatus the valve-spring 83' of the valve 7 0, which is of relatively low power, is carried by the stem 72' thereof and is preferably disposed below the valve-seat 72" and intermediate-a socket or recess 99 in the valvechest and a collar 99' on said stem. The opposite end of this'valve-stem 72' is guided ina socket 7,4- of a removable plug or closure and is adapted to limit the opening moveprefe rably other suitable agent may be substituted therement of said valve. The valve 61 in the valve-chest 35, operative to admit the inflow of the gaseous fluid from the evaporator, is

substantially similar to the valve 61 heretofore described. In this construction, how ever, the port 24 of the working piston 2 opens into the passage 71' instead of int-o a separate passage or port 23, as in the previously-described construction. The other parts in this construction of the improved engine being substantially similar to that heretofore described, the operation thereof will beobvious from the foregoing description, and

it will also be obvious that the necessity of having the valve 70' operated from the crankshaft is unnecessary in this particular construction, as said valve 70 is held in position by its relatively low-power spring 83 until that predetermined period in the cycle of movements when the compression-piston 3 in its upward stroke has its port 98 in position to connect the ports or passages 62' and 97, Fig. 9, whenthc compressed fluid Twill rush from the compression -chambcr' 36' of the; valve-chest 35 into said passage or port 97 and open said valve and rush into the working chamber i by meansof the passages 71 and 95, where it will be ignited and then explode to depress'the piston, which will act to draw an additional supply of gaseous material from the evaporator, and thus continue in operation.

In the claims and specification it will be understood that the-words downward and upward, or their equivalents, will be understood to mean the to'and-fro stroke of I the piston in whichever position itmay operate, ,whether 'in' an upright, horizontal, or other-character of engine.

Vhilel have described air as the diluent employed, yet, as is obvious, any

for and conveyed through the pipe 46, if deemed desirable.

Having described my inventiou,-I claim- 1. The combination of a casing having a working chamber and a. compression-chem: ber; a piston working in said casing; a valvechest connected with said casing; an evaporator provided with a spiral way connected with said valve-chest; means for conducting the gaseous fluid from the evaporator through the valvcchcst to the compression-chamber and from thence back through the val ve-chest to the working chamber; and means for controlling the flow of the gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber to the working chamber during a predetermined period in the cy- 'cle of movements of the apparatus.

2. Thecombination of a casing having a working chamber and a compression-chamber; a piston workingin said casing an evaporator or gas-produci'n g device provided with completely-formed gaseous fluid from the evaporator to the compression-chamber and .i'roln thence to the working chamber; and

means for controlling the flow of gaseous fluid from the compression-chain her to the working chamber during apredetermined period in the cycle of movements of the apparatus.

3. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and a working chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseotis fluid to the compressionchamber of the casing and from thence to the working chamber thereof; means in position for rest-rioting or controlling the flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber during a certain predetermined period in the cycle of movements of the apparatus; and means adapted to permit the induction of fresh air into the casing below the compression-chamber and from thence through the easing into the working chamber after the explosion of the gaseous fluid therein.

4. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and a working chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseous fluid to the compressionchambcr on the downward stroke of the piston and from thence to the working chamber during a part of the upward stroke of the piston; means in position for restricting or controlling the flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber throughout the entire downward stroke and the major portion of the upward stroke of said piston; means for permitting the induction of. fresh air to the casin g below the compression-chamber at the inauguration of the upward stroke ofthe piston an d-means for permit-tin g the flow thereof. from said comprcssion-ehamber through. the

casing and the piston and into the working chamber at the completion of the downward stroke of said piston.

,5. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and a working chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseous fluid to the compression chamber on the downward stroke of the piston and from thence to the working chamber during a part of the upward stroke of said piston; means in position for restricting or -controlling the flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber throughout the entire downward stroke and during the major portion of the upward stroke of such piston; means for permittim the induction of fresh air into the casing to'n; means for conducting the products of combustion from the working chamber and embodying valve mechanism operative on the upward stroke of the piston; and means for' comprising a'working piston and a compression-piston; a valvechest connected helow the compression chamber during the upward stroke of the pisit said casing; means for conducting gas e fluid intothe valve-chest and from thencefb the com pressiou-chamber of the casing on the downward stroke 'ofthe piston, whereby will be compressed back into said valve-chest on the upward stroke of said piston; means for conducting the compressed fluid fronrthe valve-chest chamber to the working chamber;

means disposed insaid 'alvc-chest and operative during-one part of the cycle of movements to prevent the flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber and operative during another part of the cycle of movements'to permit the low of such gaseous.

fluid to the working chamber to actuate the piston; and means for permitting the induction of fresh airinto the casing below thecompression-ohamber and from thence into the working chamber at certain periods in the cycle of movements of the apparatus.

7. In a gas-engine,the combination of acasing having a working and a compression chamber; a crank-shaft; a com'pound piston therein comprising a working and a compression-piston and operativcly connected with casing; a passage connecting said val vc-chest with the working chambcrof the casing;and

-the crank-shaft; a valve-chest connected to valve mechanism operativelyconnected-with 4 the crank-shaft and operative during a -cer tain. period in the rotation thereof to permit the compressed gaseous fluid to flow from V the valve-chest into the 'working chamber 6 the cylinder to actuate the piston.

S. In a gas'cn glue, the combination of a casing having a working and a compression chamber; a crank-shaft; acompound piston therein comprising a working and a. compres' sion piston; a valve-chest connected .to said casing; means for conducting the gaseous fluid to the valve-chest; a passage connecting said valve-chest with the compression-' chamber; a passage connecting the valveehest with the working chamber; arvalve in said chest; springaetuated mechanism for holding said valve closed duringapart of the cycle of movements of the apparatus; and an eccentrically-actuated lever connected with the cran k-shaft and operative to actuate said valve-closing mechanism to release the valve and permit the flow of the gaseous fluid to the working chamber.

9. In ages-engine, the combination of a casing having a. working'an'd a compression chamber; a crank-shaft; a compound plston therein comprising a working. and a c'ompres sion piston; a valve chest, conneeted'to said casing means for conducting the gaseous fluid to the valve-chest; a passage connectchamber; a passage. connecting the valvechest with the working chamber; a valve-in said chest; spring-actuated mechanism for normally holding said valve closed and comprising a shaft journaled in said val ve-chesthaving an arm operat-ively engaging the valve and sprung-actuated lcvci'x also connected to said shaft; means for holding said .valve closed with increased pressure during a part of the cycle of movements of the apparatus 10. In a gas-engine, the combination of a casing having a working and a compression chamber; a crank-shaft; a piston thcrein'comprising a working and a compression piston a valve ehest connected to said casin g; ah evaporator or gas-generator connected with said 'alve-ehest and provided with a spiral way;

a valve operative by the action of the piston to permit the inflow of the gaseous fluid from the evaporator or gas-generator; a passage connecting the valve-chest with the com pression-ehamber a passage connecting the valvechest with the working chamber; and valve mechanism operati'vely connected with the crank-shaft to permit the opening thereof at a predetermined period in the cycle of movements of the apparatus, to thereby permit the compressed fluid to iiowffrom the valveehest to the'worki-n g chamber of the casing to actuate the piston. l

1 1. An evaporator comprising achambered casing having a liquid-conductor connected therewith; a tubular member therein having a spiral way; an overflow-conductor connected to said evaporator: a hot-air conduct-or con nected with said casing; and a cold-air conductor connected with said tubular member.

12. The combination of a casing; a crankshaft; a piston in said casing; avalve-chest connected with said casing and-having'valve mechanism therein; an evaporator connected with said valve-chest and comprising a chambered casing ha vinga tubular member thereinhaving a spiral way: a liquid-conductor connected to saidchambered casing; ahot and a cold air conductor connected with the easing and the tnbularmcmber, respectively;

and valve mechanism in said hot and cold air conductors and operatively connected with the crank-shaft, whereby the supply of air to the evaporator is-regula-ted.

13. The combination of a casing; a crankshaft; a piston in said casin g and operatively connected with the crank-shaft; a valve-chest connected to said casing and having valve mechanism therein; a gas-producing device connected to said valve-chest and having hot and cold air-conductors connected therewith;

a liquid-conductor also connectedtherc with 1ngsaid valvechest witl-rihe compressiom.

and;valve mechanism in said hot,and coldair conductors and operatively connected to. the crank-shaft, whereby the supply of air to the gas-producing device is regulated.

it. The combination of a-ca'sing; a crank-- shaft; a piston in said casin g andoperatively connccted ivitliithe crank-shaft; a gas-producing device operatively'conneeted withsaid pismn-easiug and comprising a chambered casing; aliquni-conductorconnected thereto: a hot and a cold-air conductor also connected air conductors; a governor operatively connected with the crank-shaft; and mechanism connecting saidvalvcs and governor for regulating the supply of air to the gas-producing device, 15. The combination of a easin"; a 'erankshaft; a piston operatively connected to said crank-shaf t; a valve-chest connected to said casin g and-having-valve mechanism therein: a gas-producing device connected to said valve-chest and operatively connected with a liqiud-rcservoir; an overflow-conductor also connected with said gos-producingdevice and with an overflow-tank; a pump ope'ratively connecting the overflow-tankand liquid-reservoir; a hot and cold air conductor connected with said gas-producing device; and valve mechanism in the hot and cold air conductors and opcratively connected with the crankshaft, whereby the supply of air to the gasproducing device is regulated.

16. The combination of a casing having a working chamber and a compression-chamber; a crank-shaft; acompound piston wprkingin saidcasing and comprising a compression-piston and a working piston and operatively connected with the crank-shaft, said working piston. and working chamber having ports comm unieating with each other at the end of the downward stroke of the piston; an air-in let val ve operative on the upwardmovement of the piston to admit fresh air into the casing, whereby on the nxt'downward'movement of said piston'the same will, by means of. the communicating ports, flow into the working chamber; an exhaust-valve operatively connected with the crank-shaft, whereby on the inaogu ration of the upward stroke of thepiston said valve will ,be opened to'permil; the fresh air to force the products of combustion from said working chamber; a valve: chest connected with said'cas'ingaud having apassage com in unicnting witlnthc compression-ehan1ber thereof and a passage comm unicating with the working chamber thereof;

downward movement of the pist'ouand the major portion of the upward movcnlcntthereof to hold said valve closed; means operatively connected with tlfe crank-shaft and operable at a predetermined period in each rotation thereof to release the valve-actuator and thereby permit the gaseous fluid to open said valve and rush into the working Chillthereto; valve mechanism in said hot and cold 4 her to charge the same when the pie-ton has reached a predetermined period in its upward movement; a. gas-producing device con nccted with the v'alve-ohest; a valve operative on the downward stroke of the piston to permit the gaseous fluid from the evaporator to be drawn therefrom through the valve chest to I the compression-chamber of the cylinder; 8. liquid-supply conductor connected with said gas-producing -daviee; a hot and a cold air conductor also connected with said gas-producing device; valve mechanism in said hot and cold air conductors; a governor operaand'operative to obtain an explosion of the gaseous fluid in the working chamber at each rotation of the crank-shaft and at the compound piston, to thereby drive said piston downward.

17. The combination with a casing having a \vorkingchambcr and a compressiomchnmher; a piston working in said casing; a valve chest connected to said casing; an evaporator or gas producing device connected to said valve-chest; means for conducting the gaseous fluid from the evaporator throngh'thc valve-'chest to the compression-chamber and fiomthenae'baukthrough the valve-chest to the working chamber; ande'spring-pressed valve disposed in-the valve-chest for controlling'the flow of the gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber to the working chamher during apredete'rmincd period of the cycle of movements of the apparatus.

*pletion of each upward stroke of the com- F. N. CHASE.

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