US722558A - Apparatus for elastic-fluid compression. - Google Patents

Description

No. 722,558. PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903-.

H. B'LAND.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902. no mon'mv e sums-sum 1.

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No. 722,558. I ,v PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

H. BLAND. APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

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H.BLAND. APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902.

PATENTED MAR. 10, 1903.

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H. BLAND.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC FLUID COMPRESSION. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 22, 1902. 10 MODEL. GSHBBTS-SHBET 6.

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HENRY BLAND, OE WAVERLEY, NEAR SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

APPARATUS FOR ELASTIC-FLUID COMPRESSION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 722,558, dated March 10, 1903.

Application filed September 22, 1902. Serial N0- 124A82. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY BLAND, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Ashley street,Waverley, near Sydney, in the State of New South Wales and Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Elastic-Fluid Compression, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for the compression of elastic fluids, the main object of the invention being to control without recourse to inertia the expenditure of power at the various points of compression-stroke, so that the power developed precedes the compression-load and continues to increase until the final load may be much greater than the operative force.

My apparatus is particularly suitable for the generation of high pressures, the economy not being so great where it is desired to generate pressures under one hundred pounds.

My invention may be simply stated to consist of a combination which permits the principle of toggle-levers to be fully applied to the point that the said levers reach their straightened positions and early enough in the stroke to meet the resistance-pressures in the compression-cylinders and from thence to complete the stroke by an overstep of toggles, as

hereinafter explained, through the leverage of an oscillating floating beam, which imparts motion to the compressing-pistons.

According to myinvention the knee-jointed or toggle levers are used in two sets connected or coupled together at their joints by a rod or rods so as to maintain a uniform distance between the two sets and permit them to work as followers, so that one set cannot move without motion being imparted to the other set, while the said rod or rods is or are of such a length that while one set of toggles is straightened or vertical the other set is deflected, also as one set is advancing the other is receding from the vertical center, or vice versa. To the topjoints of each set of levers I attach a beam free to oscillate upon its center, also floating or free to rise and fall bodily to suit the varying plane of the said top joints. Each end of this floating beam is extended a suitable distance over the operating-levers, so

that its stroke for the compressing-pistons corresponds to that of the engine, (orshorter, if desired, to suit the stroke required of the compressing-pistons.) The distance of lever attachment from the center of beam may also be varied; but I find that one and one-fourth times the compressing-piston stroke give very good results. I also find this proportion suitable for the length of each lever. The principle of the floating beam makes it possible to extend the stroke and to combine the energy exerted through both sets of toggles-viz., in their straightening and deflecting motions. The attainment of the full development of toggle-power about one-tenth earlier in the stroke than heretofore thus allows the full thrust of the straightening set of toggles to be used up to the point that the members thereof are straightened, and from thence this set becomethe fulcrum of the continued power to complete the remainder of the stroke. During this lastportion of stroke the final travel of the steam-piston is about twice that of the compressing-pistons. The travel of this remainder of stroke is effected and the motion continued by an overstep of the now straightened set of levers toward the vertical center of the machine, and since this set has now become the fulcrum to the beam the work is transferred to the other or deflecting set, which operate with or through a leverage much greater than the overhang of beam. Thus the whole force developed through the toggles up to the time they reach their straightened positions is available for compression during the first nine-tenths of stroke or thereabout and then compression continues during the remainder of the stroke by the deflecting set of toggles through the extra leverage of the beam. In this way a very large gain in power is obtained. The increased stroke from the moving fulcrum being nearly double that of a fixed one, the combination appears to throw a portion of the load upon the deflecting set of toggles throughout the stroke. As hereinbefore mentioned, the beam is suspended upon its free center, which allows the whole dead-weight of the beam and operating-levers, the compressing-pistons, and con necting-rod to be suspended in equal balance, so that the power may be used for the work of compression. I accomplish this by providing the beam at its center with pivots, one at each side, approximately knifeedged and resting in V-supports suitably housed in framing and with free vertical movement. These supports pass downward torest upon one end of a pivoted cradle placed within the framing at foundation, the other end of the cradle being weighted to any desired extent to support the beam and its appendages in equal balance. This double motion of the beam insures a comparatively straight path for its piston-rod ends.

In order that my improvements may be clearly understood, I will now refer to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 to 3 are diagrammatic drawings of the compressing apparatus, being side elevations, showing the positions of the togglelevers and beam at the intermediate, straight, and overstep, respectively. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a belt-driven compressor, while Fig. 5 is a plan of same. Fig. 6 is a right-hand end elevation, partly broken away, of Fig. 4, but in order to prevent confusion showing the near set of toggles only and weights removed.

The same numerals refer to the same or corresponding parts of the mechanism.

1 represents the foundation or bed.

2 and 3 are the levers forming one set of toggles, and 4 and 5 the levers forming the other set of toggles.

. 6 is the rod or rods coupling the two sets of toggles at the knee-joints 7 and 8.

The lovers 2 and 4 are pivoted to the bedplate 1 at 9 and 10, respectively, while the levers 3 and 5 are pivoted at 11 and 12 to the oscillating floating beam 13. The said beam 13 is free to oscillate and rise or fall bodily to suit the varying plane of the top joints, being suspended on the knife-edged pivots 14 on the supports 15, which are balanced on one end of a pivoted cradle 16, the other end of which carries the weights 17.

18 and 19 are the rods of the compressingpistons 20 and 21 in the cylinders 22 and 23, which are of the ordinary type provided with valves, as will be Well understood.

24 is the connecting-rod from the engine.

25 is driving-pulley, and 26 crank-shaft. 27 is framing for the supports 15.

The operation of the apparatusis as follows: The fully-deflected set of toggles 2 3, Fig. 3- the angle embraced being about one hundred degrees-is in a position where the full power of the engine may be exerted through the connecting-rod 24, the coupling-rod 6 maintaining a uniform distance between the two sets of toggles 2 3 and 4 5, which latter set is in the overstep position. When motion is so imparted, the angle of the toggles 2 3 will constantly increase, and their thrust therefore becomes more powerful until each set is at an equal angle, Fig. 1, which I term equilibrium and which occurs at about seven-tenths of the compression-stroke. From this point a portion of the lift is'thrown upon the set of toggles '4 5 and exerted through the beam by a pulling-down motion until the set 2 3 is quite straight, Fig. 2. After this point, the progress of the piston 20 being slightly slower, the operating-toggles 2 3 begin to overstep or knee toward the vertical center, augmenting the power by helping to push out the depressing-toggles 4 5 to their point of greatest flexionnamely, to the reverse position shown in 7 Figs. 3 and 4-for the reason that the set 2 3 becomes the fulcrum to the beam while the work is transferred to the deflecting set 4 5. As the connecting-rod 24 reciprocates the two sets come into these relative positions alternately. The lower levers 2 and 4 of bothsets of toggles are connected in such manner to the foundation-plate as to secure lateral steadiness of thrust to the beam.

Where it is desirable to bring the operative crank of engine close up to the toggles, I prefer to use two sets of rods to couple the toggles, so that the joint of the crank-connecting rod can be carried rearward and well back between them, so as to get a long rod.

The moving power is applied at the kneejoint or at any suitable position upon the coupling rod or rods from the operating engine, crank, or other motion, so thatI obtain a reciprocating motion at right angles to the engine.

For air-compression I prefer to use singleacting cylinders with trunk-pistons, while for refrigerating purposes the usual type of single-acting cylinders may be employed. The engine may form part of the apparatus or it may be independent thereof.

One of the advantages resulting from this apparatus is that where direct steam thrust is used the steam may be cut ofi at the point of delivery pressure and the expanding steam will be suflicient to continue the motion and expel the compressed charge.

I Would have it understood that where power is compared I mean with like cylinders and stroke.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In anapparatus of the class described, the combination of two sets of togglelevers coupled together, a floating beam receiving motion from said toggle-levers, and cylinders containing pistons operable by said floating beam.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two sets of toggle-levers coupled together, a beam receiving motion from said toggle-levers, cylinders containing pistons operable by the outer ends of said beam, and a yieldingly-mounted membersupporting said beam between the points at which the effect of the respective toggle-levers is applied thereto.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two sets of toggle-levers from said toggle-levers, cylinders containing pistons operable by the outer ends of said beam, a support for the lever between the points at which the efiect of the respective toggle-levers is applied thereto, and a rocking counterbalanced cradle for sustaining said support.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two sets of toggle-levers, one lever in each case being connected with the framework, a floating beam connected with the other levers of the respective toggles, and cylinders containing pistons operable by the floating beam, the effect of said beam being applied to the respective pistons at points beyond that at which the effect of

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