Improvement in Rotary Engines. Page: 2 of 2
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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
ROBERT HUGHES, OF DANGERFIELD, TEXAS.
IMPROVEMENT IN ROTARY ENGINES.
Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,301, dated June 5, 1866.To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I, ROBERT HUGHES, of
Dangerfield, Titus county, State of Texas, have
invented an Improved Rotary Engine; and I
do hereby declare the following to be anl exact
description thereof, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, and to the letters of
reference marked thereon, making a part of
this specification, in which-
Figure 1 represents a vertical cross-section;
Fig. 2, a sectional side elevation, showing the
valves alid escape; Fig. 3, an opposite sec-
tional side elevation, showing the feed-chan-
nel and center-head; Fig.4, a perspective view
of the valve.
The nature of my invention consists in a
center heal with steam or air channels and
valves in a valve-box.
A represents the frame that supports the
engine; B, the stationary axis in which the
steam enters at one end and escapes at the
opposite eind at C, as shown by the arrows
passing through the channels D; E, tile sta-
tionary head or abutment, which is located per-
manently oni the stationary axle B, the head
being circular, with a curyed or cam point, G,
l)rojecting in a curve from tile periphery of
the head, that may either be solid with the
center E or attached by a firm joint, if neces-
sary to be packed, the point at H being curved
to fit the circle or concave side of the cylinder
or revolving wheel, J. There are two valve-
boxes, opposite each other, with a valve, K,
operating in each box L.
The valve K has a long groove, MI, across
the center of one side, and an incline-shaped
head, N, at top, sloping upward, to allow the
steam to pass up, press upon the head, and
force the valve K down, the head projecting
in a square or angular-shaped side, P, to fill
the box, while the valve K does not entirely fill
the box, and the corresponding square or an-
gular-shaped projection Q. at the lower side of
the box, with P, forms a chamber, R, with
apertures S, that prevent a vacuum when the
valve K rises, or any resistance from com-
pressed steam or air as the valve is forced
down.
The steam enters the axis at B, and passes
through the channel D at one side of the cen-
ter of the head E, and as it reaches the groove
M it passes up the groove and upon the head
of the valve K, forcing the valve down upon the
center head, E, until the steam escapes, pro-pelling tile cylinder around more than half the
distance of its circumference, where the valve
reaches the escape-channel D', when the valve
falls back into its box L, if not by its gravita-
tion, will be forced into the box by the curved
back of the cam G.
After one valve has thus passed half around
the opposite valve takes it place and operates
the same as the former. When the engine
is anniing and the second valve is past the
point of the cam the first one comes in contact
with another channel, T, which has a check-
valve at its receiving-orifice, through which
the steam passes along the axis B and through
a pipe intended to connect with a separate
reservoir, until it forms an equilibrium, when
the check-valve closes, and by means of which
I utilize a large amonut of steam and nearly
one-fourth of the power of the engine to pro-
pel other machinery.
There is also an aperture or an escape, U,
near the back of the cam, that likewise con-
nects with the escape-channel D2 through the
axis.
Tile sides of the valves K operate in grooves
V as guides in the outside plates of the cyl-
inder, and the radial stays W strengthen the
cylinder, or may be used as arms for a wheel.
I intend to operate this engine by steam,
water, or air, as an engine, pump, or blower,
and I make the cylinder revolve and the axis
and center head stationary, and( it may be oper-
ated either vertically or horizontally, and the
escapes may be made at any or all points back
of the center of the cylinder to the top of the
back of the cam.
What I claim as my invention, and desire to
secure by Letters Patent, is-
1. The construction of the stationary cen-
ter head, E, with curved point G, and its steam-
channels D and T, as hereirl described.
2. The construction of the valves K, arranged
in the valve-box L, as herein described.
3. The arrangement and combination of the
valves K, center head, E, cam G, and channels
D and T, to operate in a cylinder as a rotary
engine, whereby to utilize the exhaust-steam
and operate other machinery, as herein set
forth.
ROBERT HUGHES.
Witnesses:
J. FRANKLIN REIGART,
W. H. NOBLES.
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Hughes, Robert. Improvement in Rotary Engines., patent, June 5, 1866; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth165125/m1/2/: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.