US983150A - Variable-horse-power gas-engine. - Google Patents

Description

A "Mu Ham. VARIABLE HORSE POWER GAS ENGINE.

APELIOATION FILED SEET. 20, 1909,

2 5HEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOI? l aimnse M Z6012 a Ti Gil- WITNESSES ATTORNEYS A. M. LBONI. VARIABLE HORSE POWER GAS ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1909.

Patented Jan 31 2"SHEETS-SHEET 2.

NVENITOH V WITNESSEHS [rm/ME rs,

, and exact description.

ALPHoNsn M.

LEONI, OFVHI'GHLANDQNEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AGRIGULTUR MACHINES IMPROVEMENT 00., or

NEW YORK, N. Y.

VARIABLE-HORSE'QOWEB GAS-ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALPHONSE M. LEoNr, a subject of the King of Italy, and a resident of Highland,'in.the county of Ulster and State of N ew York have invented a new and Improved Variable Horse Power Gas Engine, of which the following is a full, clear,

This invention relates or gas engines.

The object of. the invention is. to produce a gas engine which may be arranged in such to explosionen'gines a way that the horse power may be made to vary between wide limits. In otherwords, the engine is constructed in such away that its horse power can be regulated not o'nly by regulating the amount of explosion charge,

but also by regulating the explosionchanr berg'tself. In this way the horse power may be set at any point desired between the maximum and minimum limit and,- furthermore, when at the maximum limit, the engine may be Controlled by a governor. In any interme diate horse power-position, the valves and sparking device are affected so" as toadapt them to the particular power'whieh the e11- gine is expected to develop. I

The invention consistsin the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims. 1

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevationand partial section of a gas engine constructed according to my invention, certain parts being broken away; Fig. 2 is an end elevation and partial section, certain parts being broken away; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view representing a portion of the shaft developed so as to indicate the relative positions of the cams which operate the admission valve, the exhaust valve and the sparkerl,

Referring more particularly to the parts, 1 represents the cylinder of a engine having an adn'iission port 2 near-the upper end thereof. The gas is admitted by an admission valve 3 having a valve stem 4 which Specification of LetterSlatnt. Patented J 3,1 1, 31, 1911, I Application filed September 30, 1909.

Serial No. 518,469.

passes downwardly ing 5 of the engine,

through the base or-hous; as indicated. Near this admission valve 3, an exhaust valve 6 isprovided, which is also provided with a valve stem 7 which passes downwardly through c down through the engine base, as indicated.

in Fig. 1. These stems against a collar 16 whichhas an antifriction,

bearing against balls 17 which run "on a collar 18. This collar thrusts against the end I ofa nut sleeve 19. The outer end-of this I nut sleeve is formed into a hub 20 which is rotatably mounted in the wall 21 of the end.

of the engine ase, as indicated in Fig. 1.

1s formed with an outwardly projecting or rods 4, 7, and 10,, are parallel with-each other, and their lower flange 23 which is received in a counterbore or seat 24; in the outer side of the wall, and

I At a suitable point this hub is formed into I an annular keeper plate 25 is secured on the wall on the outer side, and' this plate projects over the flange 23 and retains the hub,

although it permits it to'rotate.

I The nut sleeve 19 is of tubular form, and at its inner end is formed with large screw I threads ,26, and the end of the adjusting shaft 15 is formed into a screw head-or screw 27 which engages the threads 26. The cam sleeve ll is extended at its end remote from the hub 20 so as to form a cam shaft 28., This shaft 28 has an enlarged neck 29, which is provided with keys 30 whichafford means for securing upon the shaft the hub 31 of a gear wheel 32. This gear wheel 32 isolfset towardthe right, as indicated, the

rim of the wheel being secured to inclined spokes 33. On the spokes 33, pivot pins 34 are provided'for securing governor w eights 35. These governor-weights are connected by a helical spring 36 which is extended when the weights fly outwardly under the centrifugal force. The weights 85nave toes 3T which project toward each other, but on opposite sides of theshaft, and these-toes are adapted to cooperate at certain times with ing 39 which is complete. revolutions while the cam shaft is making one revolution. This .arrangement adapts the engine for operating as a four-cycle'engine.

The cylinder 1 which is mounted in the cylinder. central spindle 4C3 which extends upwardly, andthis spindle .is formed near its upper has a movable head 41 a counterbore 42 of end with an adjusting screw 44 which makes a threaded engagement row on this view indicates the direction of rotation. The cams are chamber. When with the hub 45 of a spider 46, said spider having legs 4:7 which extend downwardly and seat on the upper edgeof the cylinder casing, as will be readily understood; On the spindle 43 there is provided a i'gear wheel 47 and this gear wheel meshes with air idler gear wheel 48 'which" ismounted on a suitable hub 49 on the upper end of the cylinder casing." This idler 48 meshes with a gear wheel 50 which is rigidly mounted on a vertical shaft 51which extends down at the side of the cylinder, said shaft being suitably mounted in brackets 52, 53. The lower end ofthis shaft is provided with a helical gear 54: which meshes with the helical gear 22, as shown. The upper endof the spindle 43 is providedwith a hand wheel 55 for rotating the same. It should be understood 1 thatwhen the hand-wheel 55 is rotated, the

cylinder head 4:1 can be moved up or down "in the end of the cylinder so as to enlarge or reduce the volume of the explosion chamber between the cylinder head and the piston. In Fig. 2 the cylinder head is shown in its most depressed position, which gives the most reduced volume for the explosion the handle is rotated so as to raise the cylinder head, the gear 47 maintains contact with the gear 4c8 by reason of the fact that the gear 48 is of great width, as shown.

The arrangement of the cams on the cam l cam shaft, the key shaftis" illustrated in Fig, 3, in which view, the shaft is represented developed. The arall formed integral with the cam sleeve.

This head is provided with'a I ly attached thereto edge 59.

is in line with the exhaust valve stem 7, while the inlet cam 57 is in stem 4. A sparking cam 58 is provided which is in alineinent with the sparking stem 10. The direction of rotation is indicated by the arrow. The cam 56 is of rectangular form, while the inlet cam 57 has a rectangular forward end witlrrespect to the direction of rotation, and a curved rear The cam 58 is in longitudinal axis inthe axis of the camrhomboid and has its dined with respect to shaft. In addition to this, the end of the cam 58"which is remote from the cam 57 is disposed forwardly with respect to the di-. rection of" rotation. The right end of the cam 57, that'is, the end disposed towardgreater weight.

the sparking cam 58, is .of than the opposite end. In the normal position' of the cam is supposed to operate at about three horse power. In this position of the cam shaft, the shaft is disposed as far to the right'as the form of a,

shaft, the engine illustrated.

The exhaust cam 56 .line with the 7 possible, as 'viewed in Fig. 1. The path of the stems 7 4:, and l0,'as the cams pass them, will then correspond to the position of the dotted lines a, a a, shown on these cams in Fig. 3. \Vhen the hand wheel 55 is ro-- tated-so as to increase the volume of the compression chamber or explosion chamber, the camshaft-will be shifted bodily toward the left in a manner which will be described hereinafter, so that the stems and the sparker will come opposite to the lines 6, b, and b on the cams. This will evidently increase the length of the admission period so thata greater volume of gas and air, which is to form the charge, will be admitted, It will also be evident that of the, valves this shifting of the cam shaft will also alter the ignition time so Of course, if

desired, changes in the relation of the cams may be made'so as to get difierent special effects or results which may be required.

The end of the shaft 15 has a head 60 rigid- I by bolts (31, and this head is envelopedb'yw a freely in and out in an opening-formed in the wall ofthe housing. A key 63 on the side of thisbushing slides in a groove in the edge of the opening, as indicated, so that the bushing 62, which slides head and shaft 15 cannot rotate though they r may shift longitudinally. On the inner side of the head a ball bearing 64 is formed for the end of the cam shaft, as shown.

When the hub 19 is rotated to shift the 63 holds the shaft 15 against rotation, so that this shaft and the camshaft shift bodily to the left. When the cam shaft is shifted over to the 6-horsepower position, the shoulders 38 will be sion chamber 0 enin of the valve a cam shaft disposed adapted for act on the cam-shaft to shift it toward the right, if the speed of the engine becomes toogreat. Shifting the camshaft to the right reduces the period of admission and also, affectsthe sparking time so as'to reduce the powerthat the engine will develop.

If desired, the cam shaft can be set 'in different intermediate positions, giving different intermediate periods of admission. In any position the volumeof the exploadmission period and to the sparking time.

Attention is called to the tapered or conical form of the cam 57 and to the inclined position of its edge 59. On account'of this peculiar form, this cam will give a continu-' ous variation from the minimum period of to the maximum period.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a head in the cylinder having means for adjusting it relatively to the cylinder to regulate the capacity'of theexplosion chamber, a valve for the cylinder, a valve mechanism adapted for operating said valve, a cam shaft having graduated means adapted for operating the valve mechanism, the said cam shaft being adapted to be shifted longitudinally of its length, means adapted for so shifting the cam shaft, and gearing connecting the cylinder head with the last-mentioned means.-

2. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosive chamber, the capacity of which may be regulated, means adapted for regu-i lating the capacity of the explosion chamber,

to the axis of the cylinder having means, graduated longitudinally thereof, adapted for operating a valve, and igniting mechanism, the cam shaft being adapted to be shifted relatively to the cylinder, -means gearing connecting the first mentioned with the last-mentioned means. 5

In agas engine, a cylinder,.a head therefor adapted to be moved relatively thereto, a spindle having a thread secured to the head, a nut secured relatively to the spindle, in which the thread shaft having graduated means adapted to be shiftedrelatively to the cylinder, means adapted to so shift ing connecting the tioned means.

4. A gas engine having a movable cylinder head,'means' for adjusting said cylinder head to regulate the volume of'the ex-. plosion chamber, a'camshaft valvies adapted to-be driventhereby, said cam shaft havspindle and the last-mencorresponds perfectly to the gas engine, a cylinder, a movable horse power,

at an angle relativelyso shifting the cam shaft, andmeshes, a cam the cam shaft, and gear ing cams giving a different valve action when said cam shaft isshifted longitudinally,and means for shifting said cam haftlongitudinally when saidcylinder hea V is adjusted.-

5. In a gas engine, a cylinder, a head. therefor adapted to be moved relatively thereto, means adapted to so move the head, a shaft, gearing connecting the said means with the shaft, a cam shaft disposed at an angle tothe first-mentioned "shaft, means adapted to shift vthe cam shaft relatively to the cylinder, and shaft with thelast-mentioned means.

6. An explosion engine having a cylinder with a movable .cylinder head, means'fo'r adjusting said cylinder head to vary the volume ofthe explosion chamber, valves 'for controlling the admission and exhaust from' said cylinder, a shifting camshaft having cams controlling the action ofsaid valves and adapted to produce diflerent valve actions when shifted to different positions, and automatic means for shifting said cam shaft when said cylinder head is adjusted.

7, An explosion engine having a cylinder with a movable cylinderhead, valves for controlling the admission and exhaust from said cylinder a cam shaft mounted to we tate. and slide, resilient means .tending to hold said cam shaft against sliding, means for shifting said cam shaft. when said cylinder head is adjusted to give an increased and a governor adaptedv to shift said cam shaft when running at a maximum horse power and tending to re ducesaid horse power. -8. An explosion engine having a cylinder with a movable cylinder head, means for adjusting said cylinder head, a sleeve nut, a screw received in said nut, a cam shaft rot'atably mounted and adapted to be shifted when said screw is shifted by said nut, valves controlling the admission and exhaust from said cylinder, said cam shaft'having cams controlling the action of said valves, and means for controlling said cam shaft when said cylinder head is adjusted.

'9. An explosion engine having a cylin-- der, a mouablecylinder head in said cylinder, means for adjusting said cylinder head, valves controlling the'flow to said cylinder,- a rotatable sleeve nut, means for rotati'ng said sleeve nut when'said cylinder head is gearing connecting the said adjusted, a cam shaft rotatably mounted on said sleeve'n'ut, and a screw in' connectionwitlrsaid-cam shaft and engaging said nut and affording means for shifting said cam shaft when said nut is rotated.

: 10. A gas engine .having a cylinder, a cylinder head adj ustably mounted in said cylinder, means for adjusting said head, a cam shaft, valves controlled by said cam shaft, means; for shifting said camiishaft said cam shaft, opposing to vary the power developed by said engine, a spring constraining said cam shaft toward a position giving" a maximum horse power, and a governor adapted to cooperate with the action of said spring and adapted to reduce the power developed by said engine.

11. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating igniting mechanism, athreaded r for shifting the cam member 'adapted to be rotated, and means shaft adapted to be operated by the rotation of .the threaded member.

12. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating valve mechanism, a. threaded member, means for shifting the cam shaft adapted to be operated by the threaded DIGYDbQI' HIId means adapted for engaging the thread on the threaded member to'operate it. 1

13. Ina gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operating igniting mechanism, athreaded member adapted to rotate, means for shifting the cam shaft in one direction adapted to be operated by the I rotation of the threaded member, means adapted for engaging the thread on the threaded member to operate it, and governor mechanism adapted a shoulder, valve mechanism operated by the cam shaft, a

\ toe away for shifting the cam shaft in the opposite direction. 14. In a gas engine, a cam shaft having adapted to be wheel mounted for rotating with the shaft, a member pivoted to the wheel, a toe on the pivoted member for engaging the shoulder to shift the cam shaft, and a spring yieldingly the said pivoted member with its from its shoulder. I

15. In a gas engine, a housing, a cani shaft having a shoulder disposed in the housing adapted for operating igniting mechanism,

a gear wheel, adapted to be driven by the engine, connected to the cam shaft but which permits the cam shaft to be shifted relatively thereto, a member. with a weighted arm pivoted to the gear wheel, the member having also a toe adapted to engage the shoulder on the cam shaft for shifting it.

16., In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosion chamber, a movable head in the cylinder having means for adjusting it relatively to the cylinder to regulate the capacity of the explosion chamber, igniting means for the cylinder, a .cam shaft having means graduated longitudinally thereof for operating the igniting means, the cam shaft being adapted to be thrust relatively to the igniting means, and gearing connecting the cylinder head with the cam shaft to shift the latter.

17. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosion chamber, a movable head in the 'tively to the a ing means, earing for holding Y having an inner shoulder,

shoulder on the cam cylinder having means for adjusting it relacylinder to regulate the capacity of the explosion-ch amber, igniting means forthe cylinder, a cam shaft having means graduated longitudinally thereof for operating the igniting means, the .cam shaft being adapted to be thrust relatively to the ignit- 0 connecting the cylinder head with the cam shaft to shift the latter,

and a governor connected with and adapted to move thecam shaft.

18. In a gas engine, a cam shaft adapted for operatingigniting mechanism, a threaded member, yielding means for shifting the cam shaft adapted to be operated by thethreaded membenand means adapted for engaging the thread on the threaded member to operate it. p

19. Ina gas engine having an explosion chamber, the capacity of which may be regulated, means adapted for regulating the capacity of theexplosion chamber, a cam' a hollow cam shaft a shaft having a threaded'portion disposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposed within the hollow cam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against the shoulder, a threaded member which meshes with the threaded portion of the second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for compressing the spring, and means for rotating the threaded member relatively to the second-mentioned shaft.

22. In a gas engine, a hollow cam sha'ft a shaft having a threaded portion disposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposedwithin the hollow cam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against tion of the second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for compressing the spring, means for rotating the threaded member relatively to the second-mentioned shaft,- an outer wheel, the member having a toe for engaging the outer shoulder.

23.111 a gasengine,

the shoulder, a threaded member which meshes with the threaded por-' v shaft, a wheelkeyed to. thecam shaft, and a member pivoted to the explosion chamber, a cam j i 125. ahollow cam shaft 1 member having an inner shoulder, a shaft having having a threaded portion disposed within threaded portion disposed within them-13athe hollow shaft, a

spring disposed within the hollow? cam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against the-shoulder, a threaded member which meshes with the threaded portion of the second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for compressing the sprin means for rotating the threaded member relatively to the second-mentioned shaft, an outer shoulder on the cam shaft, :1 wheel keyed to the cam shaft, a governor weight pivoted to the wheel, a toe engaging the outer shoulder, and means for holding the toe yieldingly on the outer shoulder. 24. In a gas engine, a hollow cam shaft having an inner shoulder, a shaft having a threaded portion disposed within the cam shaft, a spring disposed within the holloweam shaft around the second-mentioned shaft and against the shoulder, a threaded which meshes with the threaded portion of the second-mentioned shaft and which is adapted for COl11] )1SSlD tl16 spring, means for rotatingthe threaded member relatively to the second-mentioned shaft, an outer shoulder on the am shaft, a wheel having a hub keyed to the cam shaft, an

outer bearing for the hub, a governor weight pivoted tothe wheel, and a toe on the governor weight for engaging the outer shoulder.

25. In a gas engine, a cam shaft having an outer shoulder, a wheel having a hub keyed to the cain shaft, an outer bearing for the hub, a governor weight pivoted to the wheel, and a toe on the governor weight for engaging the outer shoulder.

26. In a gas engine, a casing, a hollow cam-shaft having an inner shoulder, a shaft cylinder having means for ,cam .shaft, a spring disposed around the second-mentioned shaft and against the shoulder, the second-mentioned shaft being keyed to the casing but being adapted tobe thrust relatively thereto, athreaded anember which meshes with the threaded portion of the secondmentionet'lshaft and which is adaptedfor pressing the spring, and means for rotating the secondmention'ed member relatively to the shaft.

27. In a gas engine, a cam shaft having a sl oulder, a spring engaging the shoulder, a threaded member, asecond threaded member .meshing in the first threruiled member, which is adapted'for compressing the spring, and means for rotating the second threaded member relatively to the first threaded member. t

28. In a gas engine, a cylinder having an explosive chamber, a movable head 'in the adjusting it 'relatively to the cylinder, to regulate the ca paoity of the explosion chamber, a cam shaft having a shoulder, a spring engaging the shoulder, a threaded member, a second threaded member GiUsEPrn MAGNI, Boooa GIUSEPPE.

meshing in the first I threaded member,'wh1ch 18 adapted for com-

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