US741166A - Valve-gear for explosive or internal-combustion engines. - Google Patents

Description

No. 741,166. PATENTED OCT, 13, 1903.

P. M. RITES. VALVE GEAR FOR EXPLOSIVE 0R INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 1. 1902.

.UNiTEQD STATES iatented October 13, 1903 PATENT rricr VALVE-GEAR FOR EXPLOSIVE OR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,166, dated October 13, 1903.

Application filed May 1, 1902. Serial No. 105,468. (No model.)

T0 on whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, FRANCIS M. RITES, a citizen of the UnitedSt-ates, residing at Ithaca, in the county of Tompkins and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve-Gear for Explosive and Internal-Combustion Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of' the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in valve-gears for explosive and internal combustion engines; and it consists in novel means whereby in an engine of either the fourcycle or the two-cycle type the point of cutoff of explosive mixture may be varied by a single admission -valve. Heretofore automatic cut-off'valvegears for explosive and internal-combustion engines have usually comprised either a plurality of valves in series cont-rolling admission or else a rotary cam movable axially for varying the point of cutoff for operating an admission-valve. It is desirable that the number of valves of an engine shall be as small as possible, and it is also desirable when possible to avoid the use of sliding cams, sinceitis difficult to adj ust such cams satisfactorily by an automatic speedgovernor, and particularly by-a shaft-governor. The construction herein illustrated and described permits the use of a single admission-valve of the puppet type, which may be opened either positively or by suction, but the point of closure of which is determined and may be varied by the valve-gear, a shaftgovernor of simple type being employed to regulate the point of cut-off when desired.

The objects of my invention are to simplify and improve the valvegear of explosive and internalcombustion engines, to permit variation in point of closure of a single admissionvalve,t-o cause said valve to be opened positively when necessary, to cause said valve to be closed by direct action of the valve-gear at a variable point in the stroke, as determined by the adjustment of the valve-gear, to adapt the improvements both to four-cycle and to two-cycle engines, and to avoid the use of a sliding cam for operating the admissionvalve.

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain valve mechanisms embodying myinvention are illustrated, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an explosive-engine fitted with one form of my improved valve-gear, the admission-valve chamber being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but shows a, somewhat different form of valve-gear. Fig. 3 is a side elevation and partial section of a vertical two-cycle engine fitted with my improved valve-gear, hand-operated means being provided for regulating the points of valve-closure.

Referring now to the drawings and at first to Fig. 1 thereof, said figure shows an enginecylinder 1, frame 2, fly-Wheel 3, carried on the crank-shaft, and a governor-weight 4, pivoted to the fly-wheel and carrying eccentric 5. Upon the crank-shaft is a pinion 6, intermeshing with a gear 7 and carrying a crank or eccentric pin 8.

Within the admission-valve chamber 9 there is a puppet-valve 10, arranged to be opened by suction due to the forward motion of the engine-piston, the piston not being shown. The valve-stem 11 works in suitable guides. A collar 12 is arranged to slide freely upon it and is operated by a bell-crank lever 13, connected by a rod 14 to a rocker-arm 15, pivoted at 16 to another rocker-arm 17, itself pivoted at 18 to the frame of the engine. Rocker-arm 15 is connected by an eccentricrod 19 to the eccentric 5. A spring 20 is inclosed between the collar 12 and a head 21 of the valve-stem 11. Rocker-arm 17 is connected by a rod 22 to the eccentric or crank pin 8 on gear 7.

A shaft 23, driven by suitable two-to-one gears from the crank-shaft of the engine, is provided with a cam 24, operating a lever 25, which operates the eXhaust-valve. (Not shown.) Gears '6 and 7 have the same speed ratio as the gears which drive this shaft 23.

The parts are shown in the positions corresponding to the beginning of a suction-stroke of the engine. The collar 12 has just cleared the spring 20, and as the fly-wheel advances said collar will rise still further, permitting the valve 10 to open under the influence of suction in the engine-cylinder produced by the forward motion of the piston; but as the eccentric passes its dead-center the collar 12 begins to move downward with respect to the valve-stem 11 and soon engages the spring 20 and by pressing against such spring causes the valve to close. Further movement of the eccentric and of the collar 12 after the seating of the valve 10 compresses the spring still further. Also since the crank-pin8 is moving backward the rocker-arm is carried backward bodily by the rocker-arm 17, so that at the beginning of the next forward stroke of the piston, although there will be somebackward movement of the collar 12, this movement will not be sufficient to relieve the spring of so much of its tension that the valve 10 can open. Upon the valvestem 11 there may be a shoulder 26, which the sliding collar 12 will engage shortly after freeing the spring 20 at the beginning of the ad mission-stroke. This insures positive opening of the admission-valve without interfering in the least with the closing thereof at a variable point as determined by the position of the eccentric 5. It is desirable to provide for this positive openingof the valve,since suction-operated ad mission-valves sometimes stick in theirseats; but when it is not thought necessary to provide for the positive opening of the admission-valve the rocker-arms l5 and 17 may be omitted and the eccentric 5 may be connected directly to the bell-crank 13 by an eccentric-rod 27, as shown in Fig. 2. The admission-valve gear of this figure may be the same whether the engine be a two-cycle engine or a four-cycle engine, for the sliding collar 12 relieves the spring 20 at or before the beginning of the forward stroke of the piston, andtherefore if the engine be a twocycle engine valve 10 will be opened at the beginning of each forward stroke, while if the engine be a four-cycle engine the valve 10 will be opened at the beginning of the admission-stroke, but will be prevented from opening at the beginning of the working stroke, first, by the pressure upon it due to compression, and, secondly, by the pressure upon it dueto ignition of the charge in the engine-cylinder. Whether the engine is a two-cycle or a four-cycle engine is determinedby the rate of drive of the shaft 23, operating the exhaustvalve. The gears shown are adapted to drive said shaft at one-half the speed of the crank-shaft. Hence the engine shown is a four-cycle engine.

The governor operatingthe valve-gear of Fig. 2 may be either of the constant-lead or of the variable-lead type. The governor shown is of the constant-lead type, the eccentric being arranged to swing across the -end of the crank-shaft; but for this governor any of the wellknown variable -lead governors may be substituted. The effect of such a governor will be to vary the point of closure of the valve 10 by advancing or retarding relatively to the cycle of the engine the point at which the collar 12 relieves the spring 20. It

can do no harm if the spring be relieved before the beginning of the admission-stroke, since the valve cannot open until there is suction in the engine-cylinder.

Fig. 3 illustrates the application of my invention to a two-cycle engine, and, furthermore, illustrates means for varying the point of cut-0K by hand. In Figs. 1 and 2 the variation in point of cut-off is effected automatically by the shaft-governor; but it is frequently desirableas, for example,in launeh-. engines-to provide means for varying the speed by hand. In Fig. 3 the collar-12 upon the stem of the valve is operated by a lever 28, connected at 29 to the strap 30 of the eccentric 31 and further connected by a link 32 to a pivoted hand-lever 33, adapted to be clamped at different positions by means of a sector 84: and a suitable clamping device 35. By moving this lever 33 up and down the points on the valve-stem 11 between which the collar 12 vibrates may be varied at will, though the length of the vibrations of such collar remains substantially the same, and thereby the period of the stroke at which such collar 12 will encounter the spring 20 and close the valve 10 may be varied. In order that the reaction of the valve-gear on the governor may be balanced, a spring 36 is provided, which the shoulder 12 compresses after releasing the spring 20.

In this specification the term two-cycle engine is employed to denote engines in which in the regular operation of the engine combustion occurs in the combustion chainber'or cylinder (or in each combustion chamber, if the engine has more than one) once during each double stroke of the piston, and the term four-cycle engine is employed to denote engines in which in regular operation two or more double strokes of the piston intervene between successive combustion periods. The term four-cycle engine thereforeincludes those engines in which three or more doublepiston-strokes intervene between each combustion period, (what are sometimes termed six-cycle engines being an example,) since the cycle of such engines is, in fact, a mere modification of that of engines in which combustion occurs in alternate piston-strokes.

It is obvious that the invention herein illustratedand described is susceptible of many modifications and variations, and I do not limit myselfto the particular details of construction and arrangement herein shown and described.

While the valves shown in the drawings are all of the puppet type, it will be obvious that valves of other types may be used without departing from my invention. Puppetvalves are illustrated, because that type of valve is usually considered to be preferable to valves of other types for use in gas and engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising ashittin g eccentric variable in throw, a vibrating valve-operating member in driving connection therewith, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve-operating member and valve, arranged to compensate for variation in the range of vibration of said member.

2. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a shifting eccentric variable in throw, a vibrating valve-operating member in driving connection therewith, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve operating member and valve, arranged to transmit to the valve motion of the valve-operating member tending to move the Valve toward its seat, and to compensate for variation in the range of vibration of said member.

3. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a shifting eccentric variable in throw, and movable in a path which passes to one side of its center of rotation, a vibrating valve-operating member in driving connection therewith, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve-operating member and valve, arranged to compensate for variation in the range of vibration of said member.

4. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a shifting eccentric variable in throw, and movable in a path which passes to one side of its center of retation,a vibrating valve-operating member in driving connection therewith,andelasticpressure means interposed between said valveoperating member and valve, arranged to transmit to the valve motion of the valveoperating member tending to move the valve toward its seat, and to compensate for variation in the range of vibration of said member.

5. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member which operates with each double stroke of the piston, and elastic pressure means directly interposed between said valve-operating member and the valve.

6. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and'cut-otf, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member which operates with each double stroke of the piston, and elastic pressure means tending, when operated, to close said valve, directly interposed between said continuously-driven valve-operating member and said valve.

7. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member which operates with each double stroke of the piston, means for driving the same adjustable for varying the point of cut-off, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve operating member and the valve.

8. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuously-driven valve-operating member, a shifting eccentric which rotates with each double stroke of the piston for driving the said member, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve-operating member and the valve.

9. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member, a shifting eccentric for driving the same, which rotates with each double stroke of the piston, and a valve-closing spring interposed between said valve-operating member and the valve.

10. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the tour-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admis sion and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member which operates with each double stroke of the piston, and elastic pressure means directly interposed between said valve-operating member and the Valve.

11. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-oft, of valve mechanism for operating saidvalve comprising a continuouslydriven valve-operating member which operates with each donble stroke of the piston, means for driving the same adjustable for varying the point of cut-oft, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valveoperating member and the valve.

12. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, anda puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve com prising a continuouslydriven valveoperating member, a shifting eccentric for driving the same which rotates with each double stroke of the piston, and elastic pressure means interposed between said valve-operating member and the valve.

13. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling ad mission and cut-oil, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a continuouslydrive'n valve-operating member, a shifting eccentric for driving the same which rotates with each double stroke of the piston, and a valve-closing spring interposed between said valve-operating member and the valve.

14:. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of a reciprocating valve-operating member, ashifting eccentric variable in throw, rotating with each double stroke of the piston,an eccentricrod therefor connected to said reciprocating member, and a closing-spring interposed between said reciprocating member and the valve, which is relieved by said member prior to the opening of the valve.

15. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling ad mission and cut-off, of a reciprocating valve-operating member, a shifting eccentric variable in throw, rotating with each double stroke of the piston, an eccentric-rod therefor connected to said reciprocating member, and a closing-spring interposed between said reciprocating member and the valve, which is relieved by said member prior to the opening of the valve.

16. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type,the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-ofi, of a reciprocating valve -operating member, a shifting eccentric variable in throw, rotating with each double stroke of the piston, an eccentric-rod therefor connected to said reciprocating member, and a closing-spring interposed between said reciprocating member and the valve, which is relieved by said member prior to the opening of the valve.

17. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type,the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of a reciprocating valve-operating member, an eccentric rotating with each double stroke of the piston, an eccentricrod therefor connected to said reciprocating member, and a closing-spring interposed between said reciprocating member and the valve, which is relieved by said member prior to the opening of the valve.

18. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type,the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a valve-actuating device, a reciprocating member for operating the same arranged to reciprocate with each double stroke of the piston,and elastic pressure means interposed between said actuating device and the valve.

19. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine of the four-cycle type,the combination with an engine cylinder and piston,and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a valve-actuating device, a reciprocating member for operating the same arranged to reciprocate with each double stroke of the piston, and elastic pressure means interposed between said actuating device and the valve.

20. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a puppet-valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a reciprocating valve-actuating device located in proximity to the stem of said valve, a shifting eccentric of variable throw, an eccentric-rod connecting said eccentric to said reciprocating member, and a spring surrounding the stem of said valve and engaging the same and the said reciprocating member, arranged to transmit to the valve motion of the said reciprocating member tending to move the valve toward its seat, and to compensate for variation in the range of vibration of said member.

21. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-01f, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a reciprocating valve-actuating device, means comprising an automatic speed-governor for operating the same, a spring inter posed between said reciprocating valve-actuating device and the valve, and a second spring counteracting the reaction of said first spring on the governor.

22. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with an engine cylinder and piston, and a valve for said cylinder controlling admission and cut-off, of valve mechanism for operating said valve comprising a reciprocating valve-actuating device, means comprising an automatic shifting-eccentric governor for operating the same, a spring interposed between said reciprocating valve-actuating device and the valve, and a second spring counteracting the reaction of said first spring on the governor.

23. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with a valve, of two actuating devices driven at different speeds, a reciprocating member driven by the slower moving of said actuating devices, another reciprocating member mounted on said first member and driven by the other of said actuating devices, and means for communicating motion from said second reciprocating member to said valve.

24. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with a valve, of two actuating devices driven at difierent speeds, the faster moving of said actuating devices being a shifting eccentric adjustable during the operation of the engine, a reciprocating member driven by the slower moving of said actuating devices, another reciprocating member mounted on said first member and driven by' said shifting eccentric, and means for communicating motion from said second reciprocating member to said valve.

25. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination with two actuating devices driven at dilferent speeds, and two reciprocating members each driven by one of said actuating devices, the faster moving of said-members being mounted upon the slowermoving member, and means operated by said faster-moving member regulating admission of fuel to the engine-cylinder.

26. In an explosive or internal-combustion engine, the combination of two actuating devices driven at diiferent speeds, a reciprocating member driven by the faster of said actuating devices, a support for said reciprocating member, to which the latter is fulcrumed, said support movably mounted and reciprocated by the slower moving of said actuating devices, and operated by said reciprocating member regulating the admission of fuel to the engine.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS M. RITES.

Witnesses: I

JARED T. NEWMAN, Z. I-I. STONE.

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