GB705411A - Improvements in or relating to binary engines comprising internal combustion and mixed gas units - Google Patents

Abstract

705,411. Motor power plant; pistons. JOHNSON, C. E. June 2, 1951, No. 13125/51. Classes 110 (3) and 122 (1). [Also in Group XXVII] In an engine or plant in which exhaust gases from an explosion cylinder (or cylinders) 11, Fig. 1, pass a combined inlet and exhaust valve 41, Fig. 5, and generate steam in a chamber 44, the mixed steam and gases passing as via a pipe 45 to an expansion cylinder (or cylinders) 75 through an inlet valve 89, Fig. 4, means are provided causing the exhaust stroke of the piston in the cylinder 11 to be longer than its firing stroke. The cylinders 11, 75 have individual crankshafts 3, 4 interconnected by countershaft reduction gearing, Fig. 16 (not shown), when a sliding dog or other countershaft clutch is engaged. The chamber 44 is maintained partially full of water by a float valve 56, Figs. 5 and 18, controlling an inlet conduit 50 into which water is drawn past a non-return valve 52 by a plunger pump 57, 58 actuated from a pin 62, Fig. 3, mounted on one side of a cam 47 and engaging a slotted lever 59. The cam 47, which, together with a magneto 19 supplying a spark plug 18, is driven from the crankshaft 3 by a chain 48, oscillates the valve 41 which at appropriate times alternately connects a cylinder port 14 with a pipe 31, to admit to the cylinder 11 combustible mixture from a carburettor 32, and with parallel passages 34, to admit the cylinder exhaust gases to the chamber 44 via pipes 36, having outlets 39, Fig. 22, hooded to deflect the gases downwards onto the water surface and, optionally, outlets 38 also. Water admitted by the valve 56 flows first into gutters 53 and cools the valve 41. A duct 15 connects the chamber 44 with a cylinder water jacket 12 surrounded by a vacuum jacket 13. Provided a manual valve 46 is open, mixed steam and exhaust gases pass at appropriate times into the expansion cylinder 75 through the engine-driven oscillatory valve 89, Fig. 4, which also acts to control exhaust from the cylinder 75 to a pipe 88 in conjunction with piston-controlled exhaust ports 77 discharging to a pipe 79. The pipes 79, 88 discharge to an ejector condenser 104, Fig. 2, having a pressure water inlet 105 and a discharge pipe 106. The valve 89, which is slightly tapered, is held on its seat by a conical spring washer, Fig. 7 (not shown) ; it is oscillated by a cam assembly 93, Fig. 2, on the crankshaft 4, through a follower 94 and a rod 97 connected thereto by a link 95 which allows pivotal movement of the follower 94 about the rod 97 under the guidance of a hand lever 100 to bring the follower 94 opposite differently shaped portions of the assembly 93 to provide for varying working conditions including reverse operation. To promote efficient scavenging, the exhaust stroke of the piston in the cylinder 11 is made longer than its firing stroke by employing either (a) a sleeve 21, Fig. 13, eccentrically mounted on the crank pin 20 of the shaft 3 and rotated relatively to the pin by planetary bevel gearing 22, 23, 26 reacting on a stationary gear 27 or (b) a piston having two relatively slidable parts 63, 67, Fig. 11, held extended as shown by a spring 72 during the exhaust stroke but telescoped during the compression and firing strokes owing to increased cylinder gas pressure. The space between the parts 63, 67 is used as a lubricant pump drawing oil from the crankcase through a pipe 73 and semi-cylindrical flap valve 74 and delivering it to the cylinder walls by ducts 65. The countershaft clutch is controlled by a hand lever and, when the engine is mounted in a motor vehicle with the crankshaft 4 drivingly connected to the road wheels, may be disengaged together with closing of a valve such as 46, actuated thus by full application of the vehicle foot brake, to allow the explosion cylinder 11 to operate without driving and build up pressure in the chamber 44.