US1161165A - Rotary engine. - Google Patents

Description

J. E. SMITH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION HLED MAY I. 1913.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

Patent-ed Nov. 23, 1915.

J. E. SMBTH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1. ms.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

2, SHEETSSH EET 2.

some? ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 1, 1913. Serial No. 764,975.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, 'JoHN ELLSWORT SMITH, a citizen of'thexUnited States, residing at No. 65 South Valley street, in the city of Kansas City, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas, have invented a new and Improved Rotary Engine, of which the following is intende to be a complete and exact description.

This invention provides a simple and efficient mechanism for power purposes, its structure providing a continuous impulse when either a fuel or non-explosive medium is used.

It also comprehends a mechanism to which power may be applied for the purpose of compressing air or pumping water. I now desire to consider the use of this mechanism for power purposes.

Referring to the drawing illustrating this invention, the parts of its mechanism and the novel features in the structure of each part are fully identified, similar characters of reference indicating similar parts. The stationary use of this engine is not featured-V; hence no base is illustrated.

.Figurel shows a cross section through the middle of this engine. In Fig. 2 a lon gitudinal section on the line 2+2, Fig. 1, is shown, the direction of the arrows indieating the part shown. Fig. 3 illustrates the structure of the inside surface of a head. Fig. .4. represents a circular plate. a Fig. 5 illustrates a vertical section of the structures provided for supplying a fuel medium. Fig. 6 show-s a piston- Fig. 7 illustrates the novel features in the structure of the casing.

In Fig. 8 the specially constructed body of other and are spaced toform suitable troughs. I

The parts L, L and Ii" are similarly formed and applied to the same purpose. The parts Z, Z and Z" are constructed alike and applied to a similar use. So a description ofa unit of each set should :be sufit cient. The peripheral face ofl is cylindri-' cally convex and. its sides suitably concave The curvature of the concave sides is determlned by the movements provided for pivotally mounted pistons as illustrated in Fig. 1." The peripheral face of Z, Z and Z" is provided with a recess J, approximately as shown. The part L is formed to suitably abut a piston and to provide suitable spaces for the troughs N and n. It is provided wlth a channel for the pivot rib of a piston. The length of the channel determines the width of the piston and the space between Z and Z over L determines the length ofthe body of the piston. The length of the body of the rotor determines the length of the casing.

The piston I, Fig. 6, represents one of set. Each piston comprises an arcuate body and a blade suitably arching across the line of the body. The rib r is provided to receive a pivot pin and it is positioned to secure the required leverage for the desired throw. A suitable rib is also provided for the pins u and u, positioned as shown one exactly opposite the other and the rollers o and 11 mounted thereon. The peripheral .face of the rollers in the direction of the end of the blade lies in a right line across the end'of the blade and the peripheral face of the rollers corresponding to the face of the piston lies .in'a right line across the face of the piston. The end of the piston carrying the pins iscylindrically convex.

The circular plate I Fig. 4, illustrates one of a pair. Each plate is provided with a suitable shaft opening and the openings,

gqq and the curved slots Q,Q-Q. Setting a piston I, Fig. 6, on the body 0, Fig. 8, the rib 1' resting in the channel of L and the blade I) in the trough N, the end of the piston carrying the pins Will be adapted to vibrate in the trough n, contacting with the concave side of Z. The blade I) willcontact with the concave side of Z" and the face of the piston will lie in the same plane as the cylindrically convex face of Z and Z". Attaching a plate P to one end of 0, so that the respective shaft openings will be in line and so that the opening 9 will be in line with the opening in r, the curvedslot Q will be posit-ione'd 'to receive a pin u. Similarly attacking another plate, meeting the require ments of a pair to the other end of O, and inserting a'suitable pivot pin in the openings'provided for that purpose, the piston is pivotally mounted. The pivot pin is rigidly anchored in the plates. Theformation Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

a for attaching the heads KK are plainly.

of the body 0 and the structure of the plates PP provide for the similar mounting of the pistons I'and I", Fig. 1, disregarding the section shown.

In the casing ABCD, Fig. 7, the curvature of the arch 5-4 is equal to that of the cylindrical convex face of Z, Fig. 8. The extent of the arch 54: is determined by the requirements'of the face joint which the part B forms with the rotor, Fig. 1. The curvature of the arch 47 is equal to that of 5-4. The same is also true of the arch 56. The plane of curvature of the part C is determined by the throw provided for a piston as illustrated with the piston I, Fig. 1. To locate the point from which the ar'ch+l7 is described, use the throw provided for a piston as a radius and describe a circle around the center for the arch 54 and the point will lie in the circlein the direction of C. The radius of 54 and l7 being equahthe point can be accuratelylocated. The extremity of C is determined by a line passing through the centersfor 51 and 47. For the purpose of symmetry the part A issimilarly formed. The pistons in closing do not contact with the side of the casing as in opening. The

part D can be described as a longitudinal segment of a hollow cylinder. The parts B and D are concentric. The radius of D is found by adding the throw provided for a piston to the radius of B. The manner of attaching D to AB--C is fully represented. The plane of curvature of C will coincide with that of D at the point of the flange joint. The radius of G will approximate that of D for a short space before the point of the flange joint is reached. The same is also true of the part A. The flanges illustrated. An inlet port E for the admission of a fuel medium is shown in B; and an inlet port F for the admission of a non-explosive medium and an igniting device G are provided in C, approximately as shown. Suitable provisions will be made for supplying the inlet port F and means provided for properly timiplg the igniting device G. An exhaust port is shown in D, suitable provisions will be made for the discharge.

F ig.- 5 illustrates the provisions made for supplying the inletport E with a fuel medium. Referring to Fig. 5, W is designed to supply'atmospheric air. It will be provided with a-suitable valve.- A pipe Y, in section, supplies W with compressed air. It will be provided with a valve suitable for that pur-' pose. The pipe X, also represented in section, is provided to supply a fuel medium; it is arranged practically as shown, extend-. ing through the side of W. thence downward centrally to the inside of W, terminating approximately as represented. The end of X within the barrel isprovided with the plug 2. y is a hollow stem extending through a suitable opening in 2. Z represents a plate, slightly dished, as shown; it is suitably attached to y, closing that end of the stem. A spiral spring w, supported on 2, is attached to y, approximately as shown. The

' stem g is provided with. a plurality of vents near the plate Z. a; identifies one of these vents. The diameter of Z is slightly less than the inside diameter of W. The movements provided for the stem ;2 are intended to carry the plate Z just outside of the barrel W.

- A head K, one of a pair, is represented in Fig. 3. The explanation given for constructing the casing is applicable to the heads. The shaft opening M can not be described as eccentric, as three centers are required to determine the contour of K. The position of the shaft opening is determined by the requirements of the face joint, which the rotor forms with the part B, Fig. 1.

R- is a circular recess, concentric with the shaft opening. The radius of R is equal to that of P, Fig. 4. A groove, TST S, forming a track which meets the requirements of a cam, is provided in the face of each circular recess. These cam-grooves are engaged by the rollers o and 'v' and are proportioned so as to maintain the pistons I in contact with the inner walls of they casing, except while the rollers thereof traverse the part S.

Fig. 1 shows a cross section through the middle of an engine constructed along the lines described. This figure illustrates the combinations which the rotor forms with the casing to provide the chamber C. The manner in which the pistons are intended to operate in the chamber is plainly indicated and the movements and ositions provided for the pistons, I-Ii as the rollers thereof traverse the track, TS-T-S, are graphically shown.

Referring to Fig. 1, compressed air is supplied through the inlet port F to start the rotor. But continuous operation by the admission of a nonexplosive medium through the inlet port F is practical. That part of the chamber C, at the rear of the piston'I, is approximately air tight; and compressed air admitted through the inlet port F will strike the blade of I, the impulse starting the rotor. The supply of air through F being continuous, until cut out, the piston I is carried over the exhaust H. This action carries the piston I into position to receive a similar impulse through F, inn mediately before I passes H. The action of the piston I carries the piston I into position to be similarly actuated; thus proexcept those provided by the recesses,

JJJ", hence there will be no discharge through the inlet port E, unless a recess is in reglster and sufficiently advanced to form a communication between E and the chamber C. Having started the rotor as explained, the inlet port F can be closed. When the inlet port F is closed, an approximate vacuum is formed in that portion of the chamber C in the rear of each opening piston. Opening the valve in the pipe X and supplying air, either atmospheric or compressed, to the barrel W, and supposing the recess J to be sufficiently advanced to form a communication between' the inlet port E and the chamber C at the rear of the opening piston I, the air supplied tothe barrel W will carry the plate Z downward, unhousing the vents ale-a2 which discharge the fuel medium, which mixing with the air is carried through the inlet port E and the recess J into the chamber C, at the rear of the piston I, where, as soon as the communication, formed by the recess J between the inlet port E and the chamber C, is broken by i the action of the revolving rotor, the charge is exploded by the igniting device G. The impulse of the explosion drives the piston I over the exhaust H. This action carries the recess J into position to form a communication between the inlet port E and the chamber C, rearward of'the opening piston I, and that part of the chamber C, rearward of the piston I, is charged and the charge exploded as explained with the recess J and the piston I. Following the piston I over the exhaust II, it will be'maintained in a maximum open position while its rollers traverse the part T, the blade end being held in contact with the inside walls of the casing until the rollers enter the part S;

as soon as the rollers enter S the blade end is swung clear of the inside wall of the casing, the piston being gradually closed as its rollers traverse the part S. When the rollers pass out of S into T, the body of the piston will then lie in the same plane as the convex face of Z" and Z. This position will be maintained while the rollers traverse the part T, thus positioning the piston so that the face thereof will be held in contact with the inside wall of B. When the rollers'pass out of T into S, the piston is gradually opened and positioned to be actuated as before explained. Following the piston I, Fig. 1, through'a complete cycle of the rotor, it will remain closed until its rollers enter the part S of the respective tracks, when it will be gradually opened, while traversing the part S. There will be no pivotal change of position while the rollers traverse the part T of the respective tracks. That part .of the chamber C at the rear of the piston will be approximately air tight until the exton will contact with the face of D and the blade b will contact with the heads K K, while the rollers traverse the part T;- When the rollers enter the part S of the respective tracks the piston is gradually closed. The blade end of the piston will not contact with the face of either D or A after the rollers enter S. The contour of S closes the piston, and the face of I will then lie in .the same plane as that of "Z and Z". This position will be maintained while the rollers traverse the part T, thus providing for the face joint, which the rotor forms with the haust is reached. The blade end of the pistests may show that such a track in one head will meet every requirement, further simplifying construction Without altering the manner of operation.

From the foregoing description of my invention and the explanation of the drawing illustrating its mechanism, I-desire to claim and protect by Letters Patent, as follows 1. A casing comprising a, three centered arch and a longitudinal segment of aliollow cylindersuitably attached one to tlie'other, the central arch of the said three centered arch and the said segment being oppositely disposed and concentric, parallel heads closing the casing, each head having a suitable shaft opening, the inside surface of each head having a circular recess concentric with the shaft opening, the face of each circular recess having a cam track comprehending two segments that are unequal in length, oppositely disposed and concentric and two segments that are similarly proportioned and disposed so asto provide a change in longitudinal segment having an outlet port suitably provided therein.

2. A rotor comprising a body having a plurality of partsextending longitudinally on the exterior thereof, the said parts constituting sets, the units of the said sets being 'formed to alternate one with the other and spaced to form suitable troughs, the peripheral face of each unit of one set being cylindrically convex and concentric and the sides thereof suitably concave, the peripheral face of each unit of the said set having a suitable recess provided therein, each unit of another set being adapted to suitably abut a pivotally mounted piston, the said body of the rotor having a circular plate attached to each end thereof, the attached plates forming a pair, each plate having a plurality of suitable curved slots, the said body having a set of'pistons pivotally mounted between the said plates, each of the said pistons comprising an arcuate body and a blade suitably arching across the line of the body, the said body of each of the said pistons having a pin suitably positioned in each side thereof, the said pin being adapted to vibrate in a suitably positioned curved slot in the said plate contiguous thereto, a roller mounted on the said pin external to the said plate, the said body of the roto and the said plates having a suitable opening for a supporting shaft.

3. In a rotary engine the combination ofv a casing comprising a. three centered arch and a longitudinal segment of a hollow cylinder suitably attached one to the other, the central arch of the said three centered arch and the said segment being. oppositely disposed and concentric, parallel heads closing the casing, each head having a suitable shaft opening, the inside. surface of each head having a circular recess concentric with the shaft-opening, the face of each circular recess having a' cam track comprehending two segments that are unequal in length, oppositely disposed and concentric and two segments that are similarly proportioned and. disposed so as to provide a change in the direction of the said track between the oppositely disposed segments thereof, a rotor comprising a body having a circular plate provided with a plurality-of suitable curved slots-attachedto' each end thereof and a set of pistons p'rvotally II1\ nted between the said plates, the said body being suitably adapted to the vibratory movements of the said pistons, each of the said pistons comprising an areuate body and a blade suitably arching across the line of the body, the said arcuate body having a pin suitably Dositioned in each side thereof, thesaid pin being adapted to vibrate in a suitably positioned curved slot in the said plate contiguous thereto, a roller mounted on the said pin external to the said plate, a shaft extending through the said heads and adapted to rotate therein, the said rotor rigidly mounted thereon revolubly within the said casing, suitably contacting with the central arch thereof, the said circular plate forming a face joint combination with the said circular recess in the head of the casing contiguous thereto, the said pin projecting into the groove of the said track in the head of the casing contiguous thereto, the roller thereof being adapted to travel therein, the said combinations forming a chamber within the said casing, each lateral arch of the said three centered arch forming an abutment thereof, the said mechanism suitably positioning each of the said pistons on the pivot pin ,thereof and adapting each of the said pistons to regularly operate in the said chamber.

4, In a rotary engine, a casing comprising a three centered arch and a longitudinal segment of a hollow cylinder suitably attached one to the other, the central arch of the said three centered arch and the said segment being oppositely disposed and concentric, parallel heads closing the casing, each head having a suitable shaft opening, the inside surface of each head having a circular recess concentric with the shaft opening, the face of each circular recess having a cam-track suitably: provided therein, the said track comprehending two segments that are unequal in length, oppositely disposed and concentric and two segments that are similarly proportioned and disposed so as to provide a change in the direction of the said track between the oppositelv disposed segments thereof, the lateral arch of the said three centered arch, in the direction of rotation, having a suitably positioned inlet port for the admission of an expansive medium, means of supplying and controlling the admission of the same, a rotor comprising a body having a circular plate provided with a plurality of suitable curved slots attached to each end thereof and a set of pistons pivotally mounted between the said plates, the said body being suitably adapted to the vibratory' movements of the said pistons, each of the said pistons having an arcuate body and a blade suitably arching across the line of the body, the arcuate body of each of the said pistons having a pin suitably positioned in each, side thereof, the said pin being adapted to vibrate in a curved slot suitably provided in the said plate contiguous thereto, a roller mounted on the said pin external to the said plate, a shaft extending through the said heads and adapted to rotate therein, the said rotor rigidlv mounted thereon revoluble withinthe said casing, the said rotor suitably contacting with the central arch thereof, the said circular plate forming a face oint with the said recess in the head of the casing contiguous thereto, the said pin projecting into the groove of the said track in the head of the casing adjacent thereto, the roller thereof beingiadapted to travel therein, the said combinations forming a chamber within the said casing, each lateral arch of the said three centered arch forming an abutment thereof, the said mechanism suitably positioning each of the said pistons on the pivot pin thereof and adapting each of the said pistons to regularly operate in the said chamber, the blade thereof receiving the impulse of an expansive medium supplied through the said inlet port, the said casing having an exhaust port suitably provided therein. 1

5. In a rotary engine, a casing comprising a three centered arch and a longitudinal segment of a hollow cylinder suitably attached one to the other, the central arch of the said three centered arch and the said segment being oppositely disposed and concentric, parallel heads closing the casing, each head having a suitable shaft opening, the inside sur face of each head having a circular recess concentric with the shaft opening, the face of each circular recess having a cam-track suitably provided therein, the said track comprehending two segments that are, unequal in length, oppositely disposed and concentric and two segments that are similarly proportioned and disposed so as to provide a change in the direction of the said track between the oppositely disposed segments thereof, the central arch of the said three centered arch having an inlet port for the admission of a fuel medium, means of supplying and regulating the admission of the same, the lateral arch in the direction of rotation, of the said three centered arch, having an inlet port for the admission of an expansive medium, means of supplying and controlling the admission of the same. a rotor comprising a body having a plurality of parts extending longitudinally on the exterior thereof, the said parts constituting sets, the units thereof alternating one with the other and spaced to form suitable troughs, the said body having a circular plate provided with a plurality of suitable curved slots attached to each end thereof and a set of pistons pivotally mounted between the said plates, the units of the said sets being suitably adapted to the vibratory movements of the said pistons, the peripheral face of each unit of one set having a suitable recess provided therein, the said recess being referable to the piston adjacent thereto, each of the said pistons comprising an arcuate body and a blade suitably arching across the line of the body, the said arcuate body having a pin suitably positioned in each side thereof and adapted to vibrate in a curved slot suitably provided in the said plate contiguous thereto, a roller mounted on the said pin external to the said plate, a shaft extending through the said heads and adapted to rotate therein, the said rotor rigidly mounted thereon revoluble within the said casing, the said rotor suitably contacting with the said central arch thereof, the said plate forming a face joint with the said circular recess in the head of the casing contiguous thereto, the said pin projecting into the groove of the said track in the head of the casing adjacent thereto, the roller thereof being adapted to travel therein, the said combinations forming a chamber within the said casing, each lateral arch of the said three centered arch forming an abutment thereof, the said mechanism suitably positioning each of the said pistons on the pivot pin thereof and adapting each of the said pistons to regularly operate in the said chamber, the blade thereof receiving the impulse of an expansive medium, the said recess in the peripheral face of each of the said units being adapted to regularly register with the said inlet port for the admission of a fuel medium and form a communication between the said inlet port and the said chamber, the

said mechanism providing for the regular charging of the said chamber, rearward of the blade of the piston adjacent to the recess forming the said communication, the said lateral arch in the direction of rotation having an igniting device suitably provided therein and adapted to regularly explode the charge of fuel medium supplied to the said chamber. the said casing having an exhaust port suitably positioned therein.

JOHB LLLSWORTH SMl'l'i l \Vitnessed by C. C. SMITH, A. \V. Amos.

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