US972504A - Continuous-combustion heat-engine. - Google Patents

Description

W. F. BROWN. NQNTINUOUS COMBUSTION HEAT ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1908. Q FQEQQ Patented. Ont. 11, 19M).

SHEET 1.

4 SHEETS- W. F BROWN CONTINUOUS COMBUSTION HEAT ENGINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 23, 1908.

Paiented Och IL 1910.

4 SHEETS-SEEK! 2.

W. F. BROWN, CONTINUOUS COMBUSTION HEAT ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1902.-

Wu P. BROWN. CONTINUOUS COMBUSTION HEAT ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 1908.

Rammed (m 111, 1910.

SHEETSSHEET 4.

WALTER F. BROWN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

CONTINUOUS-COMBUSTION HEAT-ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11', 1910.

Application filed March 23, 1908. Serial No. $22,630.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER F. BROWN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Continnous-(lombustion Heat-Engines, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates to novel improvements in heat-engines, so-callod,.and more particularly to -the type of engines or motors in which the working-medium, introduced into and expanded in the working-cylinder of the engine, is produced by the continuous combustion in an inclosedchamber of a fuel such for example, as a suitable gas, oil, or other hydrocarbon, combined with compressed-air to complete the combustlon.

The invention forming the subject of this application for patent consists, essentially, in certain new and novel features of construction and in the arrangement and manner' of operation of the same, all as more clearly and fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

It is assumed that in general the art of converting a gas or liquidfuel into a heated gaseous medium or working fluid ,under pressure and the subsequent conversion of the resulting heat-energy into mechanical energy is Well understood.

Among the objects sought tobe atta ned by my present invention are the following:

To produce a heat-engine, employing the Joule cycle, so-called, in which the applied heat energy of the gaseous working medium, having certain temperature and pressure, is converted into useful work with a,.-1'naterially greater degree of efficiency and economy, as compared with other heat engines of the continuous combustion type using a working medium having the same temperature and pressure.

To produce a self-contained heat-engine of the type referred to having an air-compressor and a working cylinder, and having means for converting the fuel into a gaseous working medium under pressure in an internal combustion chamber, a governor actuated by the engine for automatically con-- trolling the admission of air into the compressor and also for automatically varying the point of cut-off of the working medium in the power cylinder, corresponding with the load upon the engine.

chamber connected with the fuel supply having means for automatically varying the quantity of fuel fed to the chamber and provided with means for supplying a continuous flow of compressed air into and around the chamber to mingle with the fuel and convert it into the working medium, the volume of said air entering the chamber being variably controlled by the engine itself.

To produce jacketed chamber having the fuel and compressed air supplied thereto substantially as stated above, and having the air-jacket surrounded or enveloped by a water-circulating jacket for reducing the temperature of the air-jackets wall and for reducing the temperature of the gas resulting from the combustion, the steam or vapor generated from the jacket-water at the same time also mingling with and imparting entropy to the gaseous products of combustion.

To provide means for automatically varying the normal stroke or displacement of the continuously actuated fuel-feeding device so as to vary the volume of fuel fed to the combustion-chamber from the source of supply corresponding with the load upon the engine, thereby preventing the feeding of an excess quantity into the chamber.

To provide means connected with the wa tor-jacket of the combustion-chamber element for supplying water from any suitable source to replace in the jacket water converted therein into steam or vapor and mingled with the products of combustion to produce a gaseous working medium, said means being operatively controlled by variations in the normal level of water in the jacket or by changes in the temperature of said working medium.

To provide a heat-protected receiver connected to and communicating with the combustion-chamber element and working cylinder of the engine, said receiver having its walls covered both interiorly and exteriorly with non-conducting material, as asbestos, and means for retaining the latter in position on the receiver.

In my improved heat-engine the same is constructed and adapted to be operated on the Joule cycle, or system. The heat energy generated and later converted into mechanical energy is continuously produced in an internal chamber by the combustion therein of a suitable fuel combined with the To produce a central internal combustion an internal combustion airoxygen of heated compressed air continuously supplied thereto and the mingling with the products of combustion of steam or vapor from the water-circulating jacket, thereby giving to the thus produced working medium a greater degree of entropy. or thermo-dynamic properties. When in use the compressed air sup lied to the highly heated combustion cham er and the air-circulating jacket enveloping the latter not only supplies oxygen to the fuel to effect its perfect combustion but it at the same time protects the walls of the chamber against excessive heating and produces a partial reduction of temperature of the products of combustion while in the chamber, the air also min ling later with the products of perfectcom ustion. At the same time, too; the temperature of the latter'is further reduced by the presence of the steam or vapor from the water-jacket.

It may be added that the temperature of the products of combustion may be reduced or tempered by the use of compressed air alone, but in such case an excessive volume 4 of the air would be required, thereby to a great extent reducing the available power of the engine and obviously decreasing its economy. Therefore in order to overcome the disadvantages or objections just referred to I provide the combustiomchamber with independent air and water jackets, as before stated, by means of which construction the gaseous working medium may be supplied with steam or vapor so as to impart to it a greater degree or percentage of entropy or heat-carrying capacity than can be obtained by the employment of air alone.

Gas engines in general are normally rated nearly up to their ultimate power because they are more economical and efiicient when running under full load. In an automatic cut-0E steam engine, however, the normal rating is much. less than its maximum horsepower; or in otherwords, the latter engine has a very much greater overload capacity than is possessed by gas or elastic heat-engines. In heat-engines adapted to work on the Otto cycle system the maximum power developed may somewhat exceed the normal rating.

My improved heat-engine is capable of producing a much greater percentage of expansibility and overload capacity than has been attainable in heat-engines heretofore devised. In fact its action is quite analogous to that of a steam engine, in that the volume of air admitted to the compressor as.

well as the volume of working medium entering the working-cylinder of the engine are automatically controlled by the governo corresponding with changes in the loa and not by variations in temperature; and pressures.

In the accompanying four sheets of drawings Figure 1 represents a front side eleva tion of a vertical self-contained heat-engine embodyin my improvements. Fig. 2 1s a correspon ing top plan view. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on lines 3 3 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3% is a vertical sectional view taken on line m a: of Fi s. 1 and 2, showing the upper portion of t e power cylinder and its exhaust-valve and connections. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the combustion-chamber element and some of its connections, in enlarged scale; the section being taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detached sectional view, in enlarged scale, showing governoractuated meansfor variably controlling the opening of the intake-valve of the air-compressor. Fig. 6 is a similar'view showing analogous means for variably controlling the inlet-valve for the admission of the working-medium into the power or working cylinder. Fig. 7 is a similar detached sectional view showing means for opening the ex haust-valve for the escape of the waste gases from the power cylinder after the working medium has been expanded and converted into useful work. Fig. 8 is a detached longitudinal central sectional view of the said inlet-valve and its stem, enlarged. Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view showing means for su plying and controlling the volume of fuel ed to the said combustion chamber. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View showing in further enlarged scale yieldingly mounted valves which open and close the passages or ports through which the fuel is fed. Fig. 11 is a front elevation, in partial section, representing an eccentric connection provided with means adapted to vary the stroke of the fuel-feed-pump/ Fig. 12 represents an end elevation of a positively driven auto matic governor of well-known construction for actuating and controlling the movements of the valves of the air-compressor and power cylinder. Fig. 13 is a corresponding transverse sectional view, and Fig. 14 is a side elevation, in greatly reduced scale, showing means for automatically maintaining a substantially-constant water-level in the water-jacket of the combustion-chamber element.

The following is a more detailed description of my improved heat-engine and including the manner of its operation:' The aircompressor B and its piston B the powercylin'der A and its piston A are as drawn disposed in alinement with each other; the pistons being rigidly connected together by the interposed piston-rod A thus insuring concurrent movement when in action. The force developed in the power-cylinder is transmitted to a connecting-rod E jointed to piston B and crank-pin D "of a crank or main-shaft D. All the elements thus far referred to are or may be mounted and suproll.

ported in a suitable stationary frame or housing, as F, in a well-known manner. As drawn, the working area of each pmver-cylinder is 100 per cent. greater than that of the corresponding air-compressors plunger or piston. Obviously other proportions and sizes may be employed as determined by the designing engineer. The lower or air-compressing cylinder is provided with a jacket 2 for the circulation of a cooling medium, as water; the inlet and outlet passages communicating with the jacket being Indicated at 2 and .2 respectively. See Fig. 3.

I prefer to make the upper end or head of the compressorand its piston cone-shape. The intake and outlet ports are oppositely disposed in said head and provided with valves 7L and if, respectively, seated therein; and having the valve-rods or stems extending from each other in divergent directions and provided with springs to render the valves self-closing. The outlet passage or nozzle 71, is in open communication with the nozzle 2' of the com ressed-air reservoir G, in turn connected y a pipe 71 to the combustion-chamber C, soon to be described. The stem h" of the inlet-valve h extends upwardly through the tubular hub or bearing 71. of the bonnet and carries a small roll h arranged to be engaged by a positively revoluble cam h", which latter is also capable of independent movement in a reverse direction at the same time by the action of a'governor-controlledcentral shaft n mounted in the suitably supported con tinuously revoluble tubular shaft or quill n. See Fig. 5. The cam [2, is represented as fixed to a radial pin it passing downwardly through peripheral slots n and n of collar n and said quill, respectively, and secured to or in the shaft n As thus devised the cam may be turned rearwardly an angular distance, as determined by the governor, thereby varying in a mechanical manner the time and length, of the valves opening for the admission of air, via port ll, into the compressor to correspond with variations in the work developed in the engine. The valve k is automatically closed by its spring when the said cam moves away from the It may be added here that as drawn the shaft 12 is positively driven at the same rate of speed as the engine-shaft D.

The power-cylinder A has its upper head provided with independent inlet and exhaust-chests, a and 6 having valve-controlled ports a and Z), respectively. See Figs. 3 and The inlet-chamber has a nozzle a in continuous opening communication with a nozzle r of the receiver R, later described. The stem (Z of inlet-valve d extends upwardly through the chests bonnetand stufi"- ing-box and is jointed to an end of the short swinging beam d"; its opposite end being jointed to a guided downwardly extending -spring-pressed rod 11", in turn jointed to an d at a point below the plugs head. \Vhen in service a cooling medium, as water, is circulated in a chamber d formed in said bonnet, the water also circulating in the stem itself, since the openings d thereof are always in open communication with the water in said chamber (1 See Fig.3.

A device for variably controlling the movements of the inlet-valve d is represented in Fig. 6. A collar 0 secured to said tubular shaft 92 has a transverse opening 0 therethrough in which a U-shaped cam memher 0 is slidably mounted; one arm of the cam passes freely through a transverse slot formed in the shaft and is provided with gear-teeth 0 constituting a rack, engaging teeth 0 of the governor-actuated central shaft m The portion of said member 0 extending through the collar and forming the cam proper is adapted to engage a roll d mounted in the free end of the lower arm of lever d to vibrate the latter. The angular distance traversed by the lever is determined by the extent of the cams projection beyond the collar 0 in cooperation With the governor-actuated shaft 11. for varying the position of the cam, thereby correspondingly changing the point of cut-ofi' or closure of the inlet-valve.

The exhaust valve e is seated in the port 6 (Fig. 3-}) of the chest 6 The stem 6 of said valve extends upwardly through a suitable stufling-box and is jointed to a pivoted beam 2 operatively connected to a rod e" jointed at its lower end to a link 6, Fig. 7. This rod carries a roll adapted to be engaged by a cam 12 fast to a collar secured to the said continuously revoluble tubular shaft 11. A spring 8 serves to keep the valve norn'ially seated. The exhaust gases pass from the chamber 6 via nozzle 5 into the exhaust pipe 6 As thus devised and arranged the cam 91. is positioned so as to positively open and close the exhaust-valve at predeter mined points in the pistons movement or back stroke.

The governor is driven by suitable means, as for example, by a pair of meshing spiraltoothed gears, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1; one, 29 is secured to the crank-shaft, the other, 79 being fixed to a suitably supported vertical shaft 25 having a miter-gear 1% fast to its upper end. A fellow gear, 1, is secured to the adjacent end of the horizontally mounted tubular shaft n (Fig. 9), the latter having fixed thereto at its opposite end a heavy Wheel or pulley f carrying the governor device proper. See Figs. 12 and 13. The governor has a spring-connected weighted bar 1" pivoted at f to the wheel. A link f 'jointed at f to said bar and also to a short crank f fixed to the adjacent end of the shaft n is adapted to rotate the latter short variable angular distances by the centrifugal force of the governor in a direction contrary to the normal direction of the shaft a while at the same time rotating bodily in unison with the last-named shaft. The said varying changes in the governor are due, as is well-known, to temporary variations in the load upon the engine, the governofls ac tion being employed to automatically change the position of the devices before described for admitting the air and working medium into the respective cylinders and to correspondingly vary the volume of said air and working medium antecedent to their introduction.

The following more particular] relates to and is a description of improve means or devices for continuously converting the products of combustion generated from a suitable fuel, as gas or hydrocarbon oil, into a heat energized working medium capable of being converted into mechanical energy: I employ a. combustion chamber element C (Fig. 4) provided with a suitably shaped inner combustion chamber proper, a, into which the fuel and compressed air are supplied, the resulting products of combustion flowing or being discharged int a heat-protected receiver R, later described. As drawn, the inlet end of the chamber 0 has a nozzle in open communication with a bypass communicating with the dischargepipe 6 leading from the said compressed air reservoir G. A manually-controlled valve it may be employed for varying the volume of compressed air entering the chamber 0. A space surrounding the walls w of the chamber and being in open communication with the compressed air supply-pipe 2' constitutes an air-circulating jacket, 3', for reducing the temperature of said walls, thus preventing to a considerable extent the radiation therefrom of the high degree of heat generated in the chamber. The discharge end of the chamber oand also that of the air-jacket open freely into a common outlet 6*, in turn opening directly into the receiver R. The outer wall 'w of the jacket j is enveloped by a substantially concentric space j constituting a jacket for the circulation therein of a suitable cooling medium, as

water. The wall, 10 forms the exterior of the element C, as clearly shown. The top of the latter is provided with a hollow domelike vertical extension 70 integral with the jacket 7' in which dome-space the water is maintained at a substantially uniform level 75:. The space above the water-level forms a small reservoir for the steam or vapor generated from the water. indicates a. duct or passage in open communication wlth the dome-space and with said outlet 0". As thus devised it will be apparent that the pressure of the gaseous working medium is substan- -tially the same in both the jackets and receiver.

In order to automatically supply Water into the acket j to compensate for the loss due to the generation therein of steam and vapor carried along with the workin medium into the working cylinder A, I may employ means, substantially as represented in Fig. 14 of the drawings, in which a wellknown form of trap or tank G is provided with a water-supply pipe 9 and a float-valve g, the latter automatically opening to supply water to the tank whenever the water therein drops below the normal or predetermined level; the latter corresponding with the level 70 in the said watercirculating j acketthrough the medium of the open pressure-equalizing pipe 1 uniting the upper portions of the dome and tank. A corresponding pipe, 9 uniting the bottom of the tank and jacket provides communication for ing and automatically controlling the volume of fuel, as for example, h uid-fuel, fed to the combustion chamber. ee Figs. 1, 2, 9, 10 and 11; the three last-named figures representing details of construction: H designates the fuel-feeding device as a whole, the same, as drawn, has a shortstroke valve-opening rod t actuated by means of a connection 25 mounted on a crank-pin 23 secured in the end of the governor-actuated shaft n arranged whereby said rod in its upward stroke is adapted to engage and force open the spring-pressed foot-valve t to allow fuel (delivered into chamber 0 via pipe p leading from the source of supply) to flow upwardly into the intermediate chamber 0 Thus it will be seen that the opening of the valve 25 is automatically timed and effected by the governor. The fuel is forced from chamber 0 by a variable-throw pump into the upper dischargechamber in turn communlcating via 'pipe m with the fuel-delivery nozzle m positioned in the combustion chamber proper, 0. See Fig. 4. The said pump is rep-resented (Fig. 9) as having a suitably packed and vertically guided plunger 8 The several parts above named as also the said pair of miter gears t are suitably mounted in a casing Z the eccentric. An independently movable I ing so spring-pressed block or cross-head s is ad- ]ustably mounted in said strap (Fig. 11) and is jointed to the pump plunger 8 by a m s passing transversely through the lock and the head of the plunger. This latter is in continuous communication with said intermediate chamber the device bein normal action the volume of fuel dis-- placed per stroke is equal to the cross-sectional area of the plunger multiplied by the throw or stroke of the eccentric, thereby forcing more or less of the fuel through the 7 upper spring-pressed delivery-valve t into the chamber. 0 and its discharge-pipe m, as before stated. In the event, however, that the pressure upon valve 25 ceeds that of the movin the fuel may be forced iack by the latter into the chamber a and pipe 121, assuming the lower valve i to then be open. Otherwise when the pressure of the plunger upon the fuel in chamber 0 is exceeded by the downward pressure upon valve 25 the plunger itself will then automatically yield in a rearward direction owing to the presence of the said spring-pressed or resilient blocks .9 slidably mounted in the upper part of the eccentric-strap 8 no fuel then being displaced. In fact the conditions may temporarily be such that no plunger movement whatever takes place, although the eccentric and strap at the same time be normally working.

The pressure upon the fuel pumped into the pipe at which supplies the combustlon chamber may-be equalized or prevented from undue pulsations in dischargin into the latter by means of a suitable diaphragm, m disposed in the ipe in a well-known manner. A check-Va ve, m may also be located in the pipe m to prevent back-flow into the latter from the combustion chamber. The orifice of said discharge-nozzle m may be arranged or constructed so that its lower side will lie horizontally or even drop a little, thus preventing the retention of fuel therein, substantially as shown in Fig. 4c.

The receiver R for supplying the working-cylinders of the engine with the working medium produced in the combustion chamber is closed atone end, its opposite end being secured to the combustion chamber eleplunger some of ment C and also being in direct open com-' munication' with the outlet c thereof, see Fig. 4. The receiver is provided with two lateral nozzles r secured to the open inletnozzles a of the inlet-valve chambers a of the two cylinders A, as clearly shown. The metal walls 1" of the receiver are protected against heat-radiation by means of suitable non-conducting material, as prepared as bestos, applied to and covering its entire inner and outer surfaces, as indicated at 1'. Thin layers of suitable binding material, 1,

constructed and arranged that when temporarily ex bustion type,

may be applied tothe inner lining r for Be curely holding the latter in lace' a thin casing, r, being similarly emp loyed for the outer coverin It may be stated that in order to provide auxiliar means for initial ignition of fuel supphe to the internal chamber member 0 antecedent compressed air having a proper degree of heat may be conducted by a pipe u from a suitable-independent source of supply into the air-jacket 7' (see Fig. 4), thereby both heating the Walls w of the chamber and supplying compressed air to the fuel to create combustion. After normal action has been established in the combustion chamber the said heated auxiliary compressed air supply may be shut off by means of acock or valve u.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1. In a heat-engine of the continuous comhaving means for converting heat energy or products of combustion into mechanical energy, the combination therewith of means, including an air and water jacketed combustion-chamber adapted to receive mingled fuel and air and generate or convert the same therein intov said heat-energized medium, arranged whereby when in use air from the airacket and steam or vapor from the Water-jacket surrounding the combustion-chamber mingle .with the said products of combustion or working medium issuing from the chamber so as toreduce its temperature before it is converted into mechanical energy.

2. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type provided with a workin cylinder in which heat energy is converted into mechanical energy, the combination of an air and Wateracketed combustion-chamber, means .for supplyin mingled fuel and air thereto to be conver d into said heat energy or products of combustion without passing the same through a I ter, means for reducing the temperature of the products of combustion by mingling the same with air and vapor from said jackets, and means for automatically controlling the volume of fuel and air supplied to the combustion-chamber corresponding with changes in the load upon the engine.

3. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, having means for converting heat-energy or products of combustion into mechanical energy, the combination therewith of a combustion-chamber, means for supplying fuel and compressed air to the chamber to generate therein the products of combustion, a jacket surrounding the walls of the chamber communicating with the latters outletfor the circulation of air so as to reduce the temperature of said walls, and an exterior jacket surrounding the air-jacket for the circulation of a medium, aswater, 1

cooling medium, as wa- 110 a tion therewith of a combustion-chamber communicating with the cylinder, means for supplying fuel and compressed air to the chamber to generate sald gas, a acket sur rounding the walls of the chamber and communicating with the latters outlet for the circulation of air so as to reduce the tem= perature of said walls and the products of combustion, and an exterior jacket surrounding said air-jacket for the circulation of a cooling medium, as water, having capacity for latent heat, arranged whereby steam or vapor therefrom mingles wlth the gas to reduce the latters temperature before it passes to the working cylinder.

5. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, a working-cylinder provided with valved inlet and exhaust-chambers, and a receiver protected against radiation open into said inlet-chamber, in combination with a combustion chamber connected to and adapted to discharge into said receiver provided with independent surrounding air and water-circulating jackets communicating with the discharge end of the center or combustion-chamber proper, means for supplying fuel and compressed air directly into the latter and mingling the same therein to produce a gaseous working medium whose temperature is reduced by mingling with air and vapor from said jackets before entering the receiver, and means actuated by the engine for automatically controlling the volume of said fuel and air supply to correspond with variations in the load upon the engine.

6. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, a working-cylinder provided with valved inlet and exhaust chambers, in combination with a combustion-chamber communicating with said inlet-chamber provided with independent surrounding air and water-circulating jackets communicating with the center or combustion-chamber proper, means for supplying fuel and compressed air into the combustionchamber without the intervention of a water-seal to produce a gaseous working medium, and means actuated by the engine for automatl- 'cally controlling the volume of said fuel and air supply to correspond with-variations in the load upon the engine.

7 In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, provided with means for con verting heat energy into mechanical energy, the combination therewith of a combustionchamber having independent surrounding air and water-circulating jackets in continuous open communication with the center or combustion-chamber proper, means for sup-V plying fuel and compressed air into the latter to produce a gaseous working medium, said medium as it passes from the chamber instantly mingling with air and vapor from said jackets to reduce its temperature, and means actuated by the engine for automatically controlling the volume of said fuel and rectly with the products of combustion to 4 reduce its temperature without passing through a water-seal, means for supplying fuel to the combustion-chamber, and means actuated solely by the engine for automatically controlling the volume of said fuel and air supply into said chamber and also for changing thepoint of cut-ofi or closure of the intake-valve of the power-cylinder to correspond with variations in the load upon the engine. ,7

9. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination with a ported working-cylinder, a ported air-compressor, a cranky-shaft, and pistons mounted in said working-cylinder and compressor operatively connected to the crank-shaft, of a combustion-chamber element, communicating with both the said cylinder and compressor, in which the working medium is generated having independent surrounding air and water-circulating jackets arranged whereby air and vapor from said jackets mingle directly with the products of combustlon to reduce its temperature, means for supplying fuel to said chamber, means actuated by the engine for positively opening the intake and exhaust-ports of the working-cylinder and the intake-ports of the bustion-chamber suitably connection, for suppl point of v air-jacket and an combustion type, a working cylinder having valved inlet and exhaust ports, an air-compressor having valved inlet and discharge-- ports, a crank-shaft, a speed-controlling governor, and means operatively connected with said elements for transmitting power developed in said cylinder to actuate the crank-shaft, in combination with a comconnected to the means for supplying fuel means, including a bypass ying air under pressure from said compressor into said chamber and around its walls, and means controlled by said governor for automatically varying the cut-01f or closure of the intake-port of the compressor so as to vary the volume of air to be compressed therein to correspond with the load upon the engine.

11. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber connected to the" working cylinder of the engine, independent air and water-circulating jackets surrounding said chamber arranged whereby air and vapor from said jackets mingle directly with the products of combustion to reduce its temperature without passing through a water seal, means for forcing fuel and compressed air into the chamber and converting the fuel into a gaseous product under pressure to be utilized in said cylinder, and a governing device actuated by the engine for controlling the flow of said fuel into the chamber corresponding with variations in the load upon the engine so as to prevent an excess quantity of the fuel from entering the combustion-chamber.

12. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, provided with means for converting heat energy into mechanical energy, an aircompressor, and a speed-controlllng governor, the combination therewith of a combustion-chamber surrounded by an enveloping waterjacket, means for supplying water to the latter, means for mixing-steam or vapor, generated in said water-jacket, with the products of combustion constituting the heat energy medium, means for supplying fuel in variable quantities to said combustion-chamber, means, including a by-pass, for supplying alr from said compressor into the combustion-chamber and the air-jacket, and means for automatically varying the amount of air admitted to and compressed in the compressor to correspond with the load upon the engine.

13. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, having an air-compressor provided with valved intake and discharge ports, the combination therewith of a combustion-chamber adapted to receive air under pressure from said compressor and for generating therein gaseous products of working a cylinder, to said chamber,

combustion, independent air and water-ctr culating jackets surrounding said chamber arranged whereby air and vapor from said jackets mingle directly with the products of combustion to reduce its temperature without passing through a water-seal, and mechanical means for automatically controlling the supply of fuel and compressed air into said chalnber in variable quantities or volumes corresponding with variations .in the load or work required of the engine.

14. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, a combustion-chamber en-* veloped in an air-jacket surrounded by a water-jacket, meansfor supplying Water to the latter, a heat-protected receiver for storing therein the products of combustion or working medium, means for converting the heat energy of the latter into mechanical energy, an air-compressor, means for supplying fuel to said combustion-chamber, an engine-driven governor having its action controlled by slight changes in the engines speed, due to changes in the load, so as to correspondingly var the supply of fuel and compressed-air to tie combustion chamber and air-jacket.

15. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, an air and water-jacketed combustion-chamber, means actuated by the engine itself for automatically supplying fuel and compressed air into the chamber to be converted therein into products of combustion, said air and water jackets being in continuous open communication with the outlet or discharge end of said chamber so that air and vapor from the jackets may mingle directly with and reduce the temperature of the products of combustion, and means for converting the heat of the latter into mechanical energy.

16. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, a combustion-chamber having an air-circulating jacket enveloping the Walls of the chamber proper and a water-circulating jacket enveloping said airjacket, means for supplying fuel to the chamber, means for supplying compressed air from a common source of supply into both the chamber and air-jacket, and auxiliary means for heating thewalls of the chamber to produce initial combustion of the fuel.

17. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber, means forsupplying fuel and compressed air thereto from a suitable source to be converted into a Working medium, means for circulating compressed air from said source around said chamber,

and means for circulating Water in a jacket surrounding said air-circulation and arranged whereby steam or vapor generated from the Water in said jacket mi'ngles with said air and with the products of combustion while the'latter is passing from the combustion-cliamber' and thus tempers the said working medium without passing it through water.

18. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combust-ion-chamber, means for supplying fuel and compressed air thereto from a suitable source, means for circulating compressed air from said source around sald chamber, and means for circulating water in a jacket surrounding said air-circulation and maintaining it at a substantially normal level therein, arranged whereby steam or vapor generated from the water may mingle with and temper the said working medium without passing the latter through water.

19. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber proper having independent air and water-circulating jackets surrounding the same, means for supplying fuel and compressed air into the chamber to produce a gaseous working medium, the latter as generated flowing from thechamber and mingling with vapor and air from said jackets without the intervention of a water-seal, and means actuated by the engine for automatically controlling the volume of said fuel and air supply to correspond with variations in the load upon the engine.

20. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination with a combustion-chamber element provided with independent air and water-circulating jackets surrounding the chamber proper and communicating therewith, of means for introducing and automatically controlling the supply of fuel and compressed air into the chamber proper to produce the working medium for actuating the engine, constructed and arranged whereby the temperature of the products of combustion is reduced by mingling directly with air and vapor from said jackets.

21. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber having independent air and watercirculating jackets surrounding the same and being in communication therewith, means for supplying fuel and compressed air into the chamber to produce a gaseous .working medium, the latter as it issues from said chamber having its tem perature reduced by mingling directly with air and vapor from said jackets, and means actuated by the engine for automatically controlling the volume of said fuel and air supply to correspond with variations in the load upon the engine.

22. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a central combustion-chamber proper having independent air and water-j ackets surroundmg the same, means automatically controlled by the engine for supplying fuel and compressed air into the said combustion-chamber in variable quantities, corresponding with changes in the load upon the engine, to be converted into the working medium, and having said jackets in open communication with the discharge end of said chamber whereby air and vapor from the respective jackets mingle directly with the said working medium to reduce its temperature before.

entering the working cylinder of the engine.

23. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber having an outer jacket forming a space for the circulation of water and an independent inner jacket forming a space "for the circulation of com:

pressed air, means for supplying water and compressed air to said jackets respectively,

and having both jackets practically surrounding the walls of the central or combus- Lion-chamber proper and communicating with its discharge, whereby said circulating media, 2'. 6., the compressed air and steam or vapor from the water, are utilized for stepping down or reducing the temperature of the products of combustion or working medium generated in the combustion-chamber, means for supplying and automatically controlling the volume of fuel and compressed air entering the combustion-chamber, and means for automatically maintaining a practically constant water-level in said outer jacket.

24. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination witha combustion-chamber, provided with a central chamber in which the combustion proper takes place, having independent air and water-circulatingjackets enveloping the central chamber and having the pressure upon the air and water substantially alike, and means for supplying fuel and compressed air in variable quantities thereto to produce a gaseous working medium, of a device communicating with said water jacket for automatically supplying water and maintaining it at a substantially uniform level therein, said water supply replacing the water converted into steam or vapor combined with the products of combustion or working medium after the latter passes from the chamber.

25. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion chamber element, provided with a central chamber in which the combustion proper takes place, having independent air and water-circulating jackets enveloping the said central chamber, means for supplying fuel and compressed air in variable quantities thereto to produce a gaseous working medium, means, for automatically supplying water to the water-jacket in variable quantities for replacing the water converted thereair to the chamber, a

in into steam or vapor, and having air and vapor from said jackets combined with the products of combustion after the latter passes from the combustion chamber. I

26. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of a combustion-chamber having independent air and water-circulating jackets enveloping the center portion in which the actual combustion takes place, means for supplying fuel to said chamber, a ,pipe for'supplying compressed by-pass connection communicating with said pipe for diverting compressed alr from the latter into said jacket, and means for controlling the relative volumes of said air entering said chamber and jacket.

27. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination of'a combustion-chamber element provided with a central chamber in which the combustion proper takes place, an independent air-circulation jacket enveloping the central chamber, a water-circulating jacket for preventing radiation of heat from said air' jacket, means for supplying fuel to said chamber, and means for supplying compressed-air to the chamber and air-jacket from a common source to produce, when mixed with the fuel, a gaseous working medium.

28. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, the combination with a. receiver adapted to be connected to the working-cylinder of the engine and being protected 'both internally and exteriorly to prevent radiation .of heat therefrom, of a combustion-chamber secured to and adapted to discharge into the receiver and arranged for the introduction and admixture of fuel and compressed air, said chamber being provided with a water-carrying jacket and an airjacket, the latter disposed between the waterjacket and the combustion-chamber proper, and having both jackets in communication with each other and with the discharge leading from said chamber.

29. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, a working cylinder, including a piston and rod movably mounted therein, an air and water-jacketed combustion-chamber, an air-compressor and fuelpumping means both actuated by and in unison with the engine itself arranged to automatically supply fuel and compressed air into said chamberto be converted therein into an expansible working medium or heated products of combustion, the temperature of the latter being reduced by mingling with the air and vapor of said chamber, in combination with a suitable heat-protected receiver in open communication with the combustion-chamber for receiving from the latter the said working medium, and means for intermittingly admitting said working or working medium combustion-chamber,

medium from the receiver into the working- :ported intake-chamber connected with a fuel-supply and a discharge-chamber connected with the combustion-chamber proper, means operatively controlledand timed by the governor arranged for opening the nor mally closed discharge outlet of the intakechamber at varying intervals for the outflow of fuel, a mechanically actuated element having a normally uniform movement or fuel-displacement for opening the normally closed inlet-passage of the dischargechamber and forcin the fuel therethrough and out of said disc arge-chamber into the said connection communicating with the and a resilient device interposed between said movable element and its actuating means for automatically changing its movement or fuel displacement corresponding to it.

with the resistance opposed 31. In a heat-engine of the continuous com- -pist0n mounted in said cylinder and connectedto the said air-compressors plunger for moving the latter in unison with it, a heat-protected receiver in communication with the chamber of said intake-port for holding the gaseous products of combustion, a combustion-chamber proper, in which the Working medium is generated, opening into said receiver and communicating with the discharge-outlet of the air-compressor, and means or automatically supplying fuel in varying quantities into said combustionchamber.

32. In a heat-engine of the continuous combustion type, an air-compressor and working cylinder, each provided with suitable intake anddischarge ports, a plunger and a piston mounted 1n said compressor and cylinder respectively, and means for opening and closing all the said ports, the

with the air-.

I der, I

opening mto the receiver, 'passage .or duct connecting the air-oomcombination therewith of a heat-protected receiver in open communication with the 'in take-ports chamber of the working cylina central combustion-chamber proper an air-conducting pressor and the interior of the combustionchamber, an air-jacket. surrounding the latter, a branch leading from said air'passage for suppliing airto the last-named jacket, a

.WfltQI-JflC et for reducing the tem erature of the said air circulation provide ceiver, and means for feeding fuel in variwith a passage for the flow of steam or vapor from the water-jacket so as to mingle with the products of combustion flowing into the refor supplying to said chamber fuel and air under pressure from. independent sources, an

air-oirculatin jacket surrounding the combustion cham or proper and opening into the discharge end of t e chamber so that the air may mingle with and reduce the temperature of the outflowing gaseous products of combustion, an outer water-circulating jacket surrounding the said air-tuck? adaptedto" ere om to comconduct steam or vapor t bine with said tempered products of combustion so as to complete the heat-energizing worklng-medium, and means for automatically supplying water to the water-jacket in variable quantities to replace the water con-.

verted into steam or vapor.

34. In a heat.-' engine of the continuous combustion type, a combustion-chamber surrounded by an air-jacket, an exterior waterjacket surroundin the air-jacket, means for supplying the com ustion-chamber with fuel and air under pressure, means for by-passin'g a part of the compressed air through the airjacket, means for supplying water to the water-jacket, and means for mingling the vapor or steam fromthe water and the byassed air with the products of combustion, in combination with means for convertin the heat energy of the mixture, 2'. 6., sai products of combustion and said vapor and by-passed air, into mechanical energy.

Signed at Worcester, Mass. this 20th day of March 1908.

WALTER F. BROWN.

.Witnesses:

ARTHUR S. HOUGHTON, WINFRED H. WRITING.

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