US1128125A - Internal-combustion engine. - Google Patents

Description

R. M. FRYER INTERNAL COMBUSTION BEGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1910,

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. M. FRYER. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLIGAITION FILED MAR. 4', 19 10 P11111111 Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

R. M. FRYER.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAEHQ, llO- 1 1 28, 1 25 Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR WITNESSES:

ROBERT M. FRYER, OF NEW YGRK,

N. ASSIGNOR TO FRANK B.

NEW JERSEY.

COLMAN, OF PASSAIC,

' INTEBNAL-CQIYIBUSTION ENGINE.

Application filed March 4, 119.

T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT M. Fare-n. a citizen of the United States. residing in the city, county, and State of New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines in which a reciprocating piston is actuated in one direction by combustion of an explosive mixture and in the opposite direction by steam generated within the cylinder by direct application to a charge of vaporizable fluid of the heat arising from the explosion.

An object of the invention is to utilize the heat resulting from the explosion on one side of the piston to generate steam on the opposite side, thus to avoid the use of a separate steam generating furnace or appa ratus.

A further object is to secure. certainty of action and avoid stoppage of the engine. and to this end I provide av plurality of igniting means so that in case if one fails to operate ignition may be effected by an other.

A: further object is to provide an engine in which alternate charges are exploced in separate and independent combustion chambers, so that if one charge fails to explode the other may ignite to keep the engine in action and thus also prevent stoppage.

A further object is to'utilize the water employed for steam generation as a cooling and lubricating medium and a preventive of leakage past the piston.

A further object is to so construct and arrange the parts of the engine as to practically eliminate liability of derangement and to avoid loss of time and labor incidentto repairs and readjustment. .lIlCl a final object is toprovidi an. eliicicnt and reliable engine which, by reason of its compactness and lightness. shall be admirably adapted for use on flying machines operated by metive power.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is more fully set forth. the same consists of a cylinder. a reciprocating piston therein, a plurality of combustion chambers on one side of the piston. means for supplying explosive charges thereto alternately,

means for igniting said charges, valved passages through the iston for admission of the products of explosion to the opposite Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915. Serial No. 547,302.

end of the cylinder and means for introducing charges of water into the cylinder on the side of the piston opposite the combustion chambers, all as will be herein described in detail.

in the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention: Figure 1, is a central vertical section. detail views fully described hereinafter. 7 is a horizontal section on the line T7. F 1. Fig. 8 is a similar section on line 8-S. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the annular check valves shown in section in Fig. 1. Fig.10 is a plan view of one of the valve seats. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the exhaust valve and the spider for con trolling the same. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the spider which controls the valves shown in l igs. 9 and 10, and Fig. 13 is a plan view of a rotatable spider frame which is located in the top of the cylinder and which opens the valves of the piston to permit the heated products of the exploded charges to pass to the steam chamber above the piston.

Referring to the drawings :A designates the cylinder and B the reciprocating piston working therein. The piston is preferably formed in two parts or plates, as shown in F l, the lower part haying in its upper face two annular and concentric valve chambers N and N and openings or passages l P leading into the respective chambers wherein valves 0 O are located. The head ot the cylinder comprises two plates, as shown the lower one of which has an annular valve chamber S in communication with the interior of the cylinder through passages U. A valve T in the valve chamber has its seat against the upper plate and controls exhaust passages therethrough for the escape of the steam and products of combustion at the completion of the clown-stroke of the piston. On the upper side of the head 5 is also a central chamber a which is supplied, from any suitable source, with water for steam generating purposes, the water being introduced into the cylinder, above the piston in regulated charges as will be explained presently.

Below the cylinder A is a second cylinder K and within the latter is a cylinder K, the two forming between them an annular chamber J opening at the top into the cyl-- inder A.

Figs. '2, 3. i, 5 and 6 are Connected with the piston 13 and forming practically a part thereof is 2. depending an nular chamber F having at the top thereof outlet passages 'or openings G H, controlled by annular valves G H, and at the bot tom inlet passages F controlled by an annular valve seated in a valve chamber 1.

Within the cylinder K and spaced apart therefrom is a central cylinder 4:0 which forms a carburetor; it has openings at the top controlled by an annular check valve '42. Passages 43 in the walls of the cylinder open into the chamber 40 at the top, these passages being for the purpose of conveying hydro-carbon into the carbureter from a suitable source of supply (not shown) which is to be connected at the bottom. It may be stated here that the source of sup ply should be sufficiently elevated so that the hydro-carbon will be supplied to the carbureter by gravity. The carbureting chamber is partially filled with porous or absorbent bodies 44, preferably spherical although the shape is immaterial, which absorb and take up the hydro-carbon as it is delivered through the passages as, these bodies having for their purpose to aid or promotevolatilization of the hydro-carbon and thus facilitate carburization of air drawn in through valved inlets 41 as hereinafter described.

The piston rod V], which extends centrally through the carbureter, is bored from the top' to form therein a water chamber 6 which is supplied with water from the chamber or reservoir 4 through apipe V which extends through the cylinder head and is capable of reciprocatory movement. This pipe carries at its upper end, above the cylinder head, the spider X--Fig. 11which is connected with stems U of annular valve T. The chamber 6 in the piston rod is of such .depth, and the pipe V is of such length, that as the piston approaches the limit of its upward stroke a tappet V in the bottom of chamber 6 will strike the end of pipe V and lift the same and the spider X carried thereby, and so seat the valve T and close the exhaust passages in the cylinder head 5. Near its lower end the pipe V has a fixed collar 16, so located that as the piston approaches the limit of its downward. stroke the spider ZFig. 2 will strike the collar and pull the pipe and the spider X down ward, unseating the valve T and opening the exhaust passages.

At the lower end of the pipe V is a head 6 which snugly fits the chamber 6, and which may be denominated a pumppiston, its ofllce being to pump water from the chamber 6 into the cylinder A above piston B. The head 6 has passages 6 therethrough controlled by a check valve 6. When piston 13 moves upward water is forced through the passages 6' and on the downward stroke the water so forced through is retained by the check valve and is forced out at the top under the spider Z, which spreads it in a thin sheet overthe top of the piston. 4

The spider Y carries two annular series of bosses 14,15 those of one series be ing disposed in staggered relation to those of the other series, as shown in Fig. 13.

These bosses stand. in the paths of move-" ment of heads Q, Q, of, valve stems O, 0 oi the annular valves 0, O, and when struck by said heads unseat the valves and open the passages controlled thereby to 'permit the heat and products of the charges exploded in the combustion chamber D E, to pass through the piston to the upper side thereof. Each of the valves 0 O has six stems at an annular distance of sixty degrees apart (see Figs; 7 and 8) to avoid tilting of the valves, and the stems nf the two valves are in the same radial lines. The spider Y is mounted in the top of the cylinder A adjacent to the head 5, on a rotatable sleeve 12, extending through the head, the sleeve and spider being rotated step-bystep through angular distances of thirty degrees .at each step to bring first one series of bosses, and then the other,'into position to operate the respective valves, 0, O in the manner described.

The means for rotating the sleeve 12 and spider Y comprises a bevel gear 11 at the top of the sleeve, a bevel gear 10 mounted at the side of the sleeve and intermeshing with gear 11, a ratchet wheel 8 fixed with relation to gear 10 and havin twelve teeth, a lever 7 mounted on the axis'of the gear and ratchet and carrying at one end a pawl 7 the other end being connected to the spider X by a short rod or link 9 all as shown in Figs. 1, and 3. As the pipe is moved up and down by the tappet V and the spider Z, as already explained, the rod 9 is reciprocated, operating the lever 7 and its pawl, rotating the ratchet wheel, and-with it the bevel gear 10, and this being in gear with gear 11 it follows that eac h;

or may not, be the same as those control led by the valves 0, O. The

valves R, R, close by steampressure in the upper part of the cylinder to prevent These valves R, R also con- -c through the piston B, whichpassage of steam during the down stroke, but at the completion of said stroke the exhaust valve'T is opened, and the steam charge escapes, whereupon the pressure of the residual steam and products of combustion, which are compressed on the down stroke,,lift the valves and escape to make room for an explosive charge. This is a most important feature in the operation of the engine, as will presently be seen.

D, E, are the explosion chambers, one within the other, in which the explosive charges are exploded-first in one and then in the other. These'tp 'o chambers are of substantially equal capacity, and the capacity of the two together is substantially equal to that of chamber J. The combustion chambers D, E, are each provided with a plurality of electric sparkers or igniters,

each comprising a spear-shaped head 4:8 sur mounting a rod carried by a tube or casing 49 vertically adjustable in the base of the chamber and a pair of spaced contact jaws 'lcarried by the piston on its under side.

The said jaws have enlargements at their ends so spaced that they will both contact with the head as they pass the same'. The jaws 4:7 are of such length that contact with the heads 48 is made just before the piston reaches the limit of its stroke, and is broken as the limit is reached, thus producing a spark or sparks. The heads e8 will then stand between the jaws l7, out of contact therewith, as will be readily understood from Fig. 1', then as the lip-stroke begins contact will again be made and broken,

again producing a spark or sparks. It will now be seen that by providing a plurality of sparkers (five are indicated in the outer chamber in Fig. 7) each of which operates at least twice at each stroke, the chances.

of ignition are many times multiplied and the electrical connections remains intact' The piston is packed as usual, the packing shown being of the ordinary three-ring variety for which nothing is claimed. Two outside expansible rings U are backed by an inner expansible ring which ,covcrs both the outer rings, and the inner ring is in turn backed by expanding coiled springs A The spring action of the packing may be supplemented by pressure applied through passages 3?, extending from valve chamber X. The chamber F is provided at its lower end with inner and outer packing of similar character to prevent leakage of gas t'roni chamber J.

The structural features of the engine having now been described a description of the o 'ieration will be given, as follows :Hydrocarbon having been introduced into the carbureting chamber it) through the inlet passages l3, and water supplied to the chamber 0 reservoir 4, from suitable sources of supcarbon and air drawn in through the inlets all as already explained. On the return or down-stroke of the piston the explosive mixture drawn into the chamber J on the upstroke will be compressed into the receiver F and near the completion of the stroke will pass into one or the other of the explosion chambers D, E, and will be exploded therein when the sparkers 47-48 contact as above explained, whereupon the piston is driven upward. The engine is now in operation. Supposing now the piston B to be on the up-stroke (Fig. l) as a result of an explosion in chamber- E, the valve 0 being closed, when the stroke is practically completed the heads Q" of the valve stems O" will strike the bosses 15 of spider Y, the valve will be unseated, the heat and products of the exploded charge will pass through the piston to the upper side thereof, the tappet V will strike the end of pipe and lift the same and force a charge of water under the spider into the hot gases and products of explosion, the water will be converted into steam, the pressure of which will seat the check valves R, R, and drive the piston down. Also, during the upstroke of the piston a charge of explosive with the next tooth of ratchet wheel 3 pre paratory to a movement of spider Y to bring the bosses 14 thereof into operative position when the spider Z strikes the collar ll) on pipe on the down-stroke. Now, during the down-stroke (the valve 0' being still open) the cxplok-iive mixture in chamber J, held against back low by, the check valve 42. is conu-n'esscd into the receiving chamber l and since the chamber .l, is much larger than the chamber l? (by preference, at least three times as large) the volume of the mixture compressed into chamber 1 is much reduced and the pressure correspond ingly increased. Now it is to be noted that on the previous upstroke the pressure of the driving charge in chamber E held the valve G closed, and that there being at such time no pressure on the valve H the latter was lifted by the pressure in chamber F and a charge for the next lip-stroke expanded into the chamber D, such charge being compressed during the down-stroke and ignited at the completion thereof, and now, on the resulting lip-stroke the operation is reversed the pressure in chamber D holds the valve H to its seat, the mixture compressed into the chamber F on the last down-stroke lifts the valve G and expands into chamber E to be compressed and ignited on the downstroke, as before. It is to be noted that whichever of the valves 0 or O is opened on the up-stroke is closed by the lifting of spider Z at, ornea-r. the completion of the down-stroke, and that both valves (0, and O) are closed at the. beginning of the upstroke, so that there may be no escape of explosive mixture. It will of course be understood that the cylinder, after a few. explosions, becomes'highly heated and that in consequence the water in the chamber or reservoir 4, from which the engine is supplied, will also be heated and that its con version into steam will thereby greatly Facilitated.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is- 1. A'combined internal combustion and steam engine, comprisin a cylinder, a piston therein, means for introducing an explosive or combustible mixture on one side of the piston, means for introducing a steaitn producing liquid or fluid on the other side oi the piston, the said piston having a valve-controlled passage therethrough. for

v the passage of the products of combustion or explosion from one side to the other.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a cylindrical piston having an an nular projer on on the outer side, under uhich an e plosion chamber is located, forming a combustion chamber therein. means for introducing an explosive or eombustible mixture thereinto, means for introducing a steam producing liquid into the cylinder on the other side of the piston, the said piston having a valve-controlled passage therethrough for the passage of the .products of combustion or explosion from one side to the other.

3. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder embracingcombined explosion and steam generating chambers, a piston separatingtho said chambers, means for supplyii'ig an explosive charge to the ex plosion chamber, means for directing the exploded charge, or products of combustion, to the steam generating chamber and means for supplying water to the latter chamber.

l. An internal combustion engine comrising a g: lur:-.lity oi imlepcmlontly operable explosion clmmbcrs. our within the other, a flash steam generating clmmber, a piston, the head of which separates the said combustion chambers from the steam generating chamber, the body of the piston constituting one of the explosion chambers, means for establishing alternate communication between the respective explosion chambers and the steam generating chamher, and means for supplying water to the latter chamber.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of independently operable explosion chambers, one within the other, a flash steam generating chamber, a piston. between the-."combustion and steam generating chambers and constituting one of the coinlmstion chambers, means for establishing alternate communication between the respective explosion chambers and the steam generating chamber, and means actuated by the piston for supplying water to the latter chamber.

5. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder divided. into a plurality of charm hers, one of whicl constitutes a-steam generating chamber and the others explosion chambers, piston separating the two series '01" chambers, means -for supplying an explosive mixture to the explosion chambers, means for directing the exploded charge to the steam generating chamber, the upper surface of piston constituting a water e aporator.

7.. in an internal combustion engine, an inverted, or open-bottomed cylindrical pis ton, in con iunction with. an inner and an outer cylinder disposed beneath a cylinder within which the said cylindrical piston ,opcrates, the arrangement providing beneath, the said piston head a plurality of explosion or combustion chambers through the division of the surface below the piston head, so as to constitute an annular and a central combustion chamber, by the cylindrical portion of the piston, annularly situated between the said combustion chambers, as shown.

8. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a second cylinder disposed concentric thereto, a cylindrical piston with head of greater diameter, providing a plulality of combustion chambers underneath the same, one inside and the other outside of the said cylindrical piston working between the said cylinders. and means for supplying carburcted air to the combustion chambers.

9. In an internal co cylinder, a second cyl' tric thereto and 'promding a plurality f combustion chambe hrough means of b cylindrical piston no ting between the said oustion engine, a

retcd air to the c lll. In an int cylinder, an ope with inlet val r disposed concen- Ill,

cylinders, and means tor supplying carbu- I amazes spacewherein it reciprocates, with gas, and

upon its down-stroke, forces this gas into the hollow space of'the said annular plunger, from whence it is delivered alternately, to the combustion chambers, one inside and the other outside of the cylindrical piston, be-

low the head thereof, and means to receive,

and to deliver under pressure the desired gaseous bodies therein employed, through the action or reciprocation of the said piston wherein valve chambers andt corresponding valves, for the conduction and regulation of the gases from combustion chambers are located, as shown.

12. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, the upper portion of which constitutes the steam generating chamber and the lower portion a combustion chamber, a piston in the said cylinder in the head of which piston, valves and corresponding valve chambers are arranged, the piston being provided with communicating openings between the combustion and steam generating chambers. r

13. In an internal combustion engine, a. cylinder embodying a steam generating chamber and a combustion chamber, a piston dividing the said chambers, a valve or valves in the said piston for controlling communication between the combustion and steam generating chambers, and means for seating the valves comprising a spider frame through the arms of'which the valve stems project, which valve stems are provided with bosses at the top to be engaged by arms of the spider frame, and a rod provided with a collar to engage with the under side of the said spider frame to hold the latter at rest during a period of the downward stroke of the piston, thus to seat the valves.

1 4. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder constituting a steam generating chamber and a combustion chamber, an open-bottom cylindrical piston, producing a plurality of explosion chambers below the head thereof, valves for controlling communication between the combustion and steam generating chambers, means for seating the valves comprising a spider frame supported on'the piston and through which the stems of the valves project, the latter being provided with bosses or lugs, to be engaged by the spider frame, a rod provided with a collar to engage with the under side of the spider frame to hold the latter at rest during a period in the descent of the piston, thus to seat the valves, and means for alternately opening the valves comprising aspider frame arranged beneath the cylinder head and provided with two series of downward extending bosses arranged alternately to engage with the lugs or bosses of the valve stems, and means to impart a step by step motion to the last named spider frame, whereby, each alternate stroke of the piston will cause the same valve to be opened.

15. In an internal combustion engine, a

cylinder embodying a flash steam generating chamber and a combustion chamber, an inverted or open-bottom cylindrical piston, embodying a plurality of explosion chambers, valves in the piston for controlling passage between the combustion and steam generating chambers, a spider frame disposed above the piston and through which the stems of the valves project, the latter being provided with bosses to be-engaged by the spider frame, a piston rod provided with a well, means for supplying water to the well comprising a hollow rod communicating with a source of water supply, a ported piston carried by the lower portion of the rod and operating in the well, a by-pas's valve loose on the rod and normally closing the piston ports, and means for retarding movement of the spider frame on the down ward stroke of the piston to seat the main piston valve comprising a collar rigid with the rod with whichthe under side of spider frame contacts 16. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder embodying a steam generating and a combustion chamber, an inverted or openbottom cylindrical piston, below the head of which a plurality of explosion chambers are located, one being inside of the said piston, valves carried by the piston for controlling communication between the combustion and steam generating chambers, stems carried by the valves, a spider frame supported by the piston and through which the stems project, lugs or bosses carried by the upper ends of the valve stems to retain them in operative connection with the arms of the spider frame, a piston rod provided with a well the open end of which is covered by the spider frame, means for supplying water piston, whereby on the upward stroke of the main piston, water is forced above the bypass valve and on its downward stroke the water is caused to lift the spider frame suthciently to permit a thin sheet of water to be discharged laterally within the steam gen erating chamber where it is met by the highly heated products of combustion and flashed into steam, and means for retarding the movement of the spider frame on the downward stroke of the main piston to seat the valve carried thereby, comprising a collar rigid with the hollow rod and with which the center of spider frame contacts.

17. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder the upper part of which constitutes a steam generating chamber and the lower portion, below the piston head, answers for a combustion or explosion chamber, a sec- 0nd cylinder forming a base for the first, a third cylinder within the second concentric therewith, an annular space between the latter named cylinders constitutinga pneumatic pump chamber, a fourth cylinder located within the third and constituting the carbureting chamber provided with an an nular check valve, open-bottom cylindrical piston with annular chamber within and with valves opening thereto and therefrom while acting as an annulanpump plunger in said annular space between the second and third cylinders, communication being messes had through. the wall of the third cylinder and passage surrounding the carburetor with annular valie thereon, means for admitting air to the carbureter from below and for supplying hydrocarbonaceous liquid fuel to the carbureter from or near the top and means within the carbureter to effect progressive and rapid evaporation of such fuel from heavier to lighter, drawing the gases in, through and from the carbureter by the action of the piston and in turn forcing the same within the storage chamber and delivering them therefrom, through valves thereon provided, to the combustion chambers as shown and described.

18. In an internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of independently operable combustion chambers, a steam generating chamber, a piston constituting one of the combustion chambers, means for establishing alternate communication between the combustion and the steam generating chambers, independently operable sparkers or igniters in the combustion chambers, and means for supplying water to the steam generating chamber in regulated impulses.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, in presence of two witnesses.

M ROBERT M. FRYER.

Witnesses FRANK Bran COLMAN, Mania L, Firm).

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