Improvements in Rotary Steam Engines

10,130. Hays, H. J. May 3. Axial shaft and reciprocating piston type.-Figs. 1 and 2 show an engine of the axial shaft and reciprocating cylinder type as arranged to drive the front axle of a motor car. It may also be used to drive other machinery. The pistons D are mounted on hollow piston-rods E. At one end of each piston-rod is a crosshead H which has rollers running in a groove m in the axle, and also pins carrying rollers i which run in helical grooves G in the cylindrical casing F bolted to the cylinder. Rotary motion is thus communicated to the axle. The crosshead may revolve on the piston-rod or be rigidly attached to it, in which case the main piston would also revolve. At the other end of the piston-rod is a grooved collar e , which operates the valve mechanism. When the reciprocating frame or lever C is parallel to the axle, no motion is communicated to the slide valve, but, if the frame is inclined, motion is communicated to the end of the bellcrank lever and thence to the valve, the engine being reversed by inclining the lever C in the opposite direction, which can be done by raising or lowering the sliding frame D . Upon the side of the semicylindrical casting B, which carries the cylinders and valve gear, are trunnions B , Fig. 2, supporting the engine in a frame B' journalled, by the sleeve E above and bearing B below, in a surrounding yoke B forming part of the vehicle. Upon the top of the collar is seated a hollow vertical shaft B , provided with a hand-wheel which, by toothed and worm gearing, rotates the frame B'. The sliding frame D' is raised or lowered by turning the nut N. one cylinder and a flywheel may be used, and the mechanism, which is enclosed in a tight casing, thus excluding dirt and grit, may be run in oil.