Alma Manufacturing Co. - Assigned Patents

Manufacturers Index - Alma Manufacturing Co.

Alma Manufacturing Co.
Alma, MI, U.S.A.
Manufacturer Class: Wood Working Machinery & Steam and Gas Engines

Patents

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Patent Number	Date	Title	Name	City	Description
726,731	Apr. 28, 1903	Gas Engine	Walter J. McVicker	Rogers, Colfax County, NE	Abstract: The invention relates to explosive-engines of the four-cycle compression type; and its object is to provide anew and improved gas engine which is simple and durable in construction, very effective in operation, and arranged to utilize the exhaust-pressure for actuating the exhaust-valve. Claims: 1. In a gas-engine, a cylinder, a piston therein, an exhaust-valve, an auxiliary cylinder communicating with the main cylinder by two passages having a valved connection with each other, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder, and means for operating the exhaust-valve from the said piston, as set forth. 2. In a gas-engine, a cylinder, a piston there in, an exhaust-valve, an auxiliary cylinder communicating with the main cylinder by two communicating passages, one of said passages being opened at the end of the outstroke of the piston and the other at return stroke thereof, a valve controlling the communication between said passages, a piston in the auxiliary cylinder, and means for operating the exhaust-valve from said piston, as set forth. 3. A gas-engine having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, an ad mission-valve for said cylinder, an exhaust-valve for said cylinder, means controlled by the exhaust-pressure in the cylinder for opening the exhaust valve previous to the completion of the outward stroke of the piston, said means comprising an auxiliary cylinder having a piston, a lever engaged by the piston-rod of said piston, the lever also engaging the valve-stem of the exhaust-valve, and a valve connection between said auxiliary cylinder and the main cylinder, as set forth. 4. A gas-engine having a cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, an admission-valve for said cylinder, an exhaust-valve for said cylinder, and means controlled by the exhaust pressure in the cylinder for opening the exhaust-valve previous to the completion of the outward stroke of the piston, said means comprising an auxiliary cylinder having a piston, a lever engaged by the piston-rod of said piston, the lever also engaging the valve-stem of the exhaust-valve, a valve connection between said auxiliary cylinder and the main cylinder, and an exhaust controlled by the main piston in the main cylinder and leading from said auxiliary cylinder, as set forth. 5. In a gas-engine, a cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, an exhaust-valve, an auxiliary cylinder having two chambers communicating with the main cylinder and having a valved communication with each other, a piston in one of the chambers of the auxiliary cylinder, and means for opening the exhaust valve from the piston of the auxiliary cylinder, as set forth. 6. In a gas-engine, a cylinder, a reciprocating piston in the cylinder, a spring-pressed exhaust-valve for the cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder having two chambers communicating with the main cylinder and having a valved communication with each other, a piston in one of the chambers of the auxiliary cylinder, and a pivoted lever with the ends of which the stem of the piston and the stem of the exhaust-valve engage, as set forth. 7. In a gas-engine, a main cylinder, a piston reciprocating in the cylinder, a spring pressed exhaust-valve opening inwardly into the cylinder, an auxiliary cylinder having two chambers from which ports lead into the main cylinder, a spring-pressed valve controlling communication between one of the chambers and the port leading from the other chamber into the main cylinder, a piston in the other chamber of the auxiliary cylinder, and a pivoted lever with the ends of which the stems of the piston and exhaust-valve engage, as set forth.
743,915	Nov. 10, 1903	Valve Gear For Explosive Engines	Walter J. McVicker	Rogers, Colfax County, NE	Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in gas or gasolene engines of the four-stroke cycle-compression type, the object being to provide a simple means for operating the exhaust-valve by the explosion of gas or gasolene vapor in an auxiliary cylinder containing a movable piston, thus dispensing with all gears, cams, eccentrics, &c., and further to provide a means by which the speed of the engine may he exclusively controlled by electricity. Claims: l. In an explosive-engine, a main cylinder having inlet and outlet ports, a main piston operating therein, an auxiliary cylinder having port communication with the main cylinder, a piston operating in the auxiliary cylinder, the said piston having an annular port, and ports leading therefrom to the rear of the piston, and a valve for the exhaust having loose connection with the piston in the auxiliary cylinder and operated by the explosion of gas or vapor mixture in said auxiliary cylinder, while one of the ports is closed by the piston in the main cylinder. 2. In a gas-engine, a main cylinder, a main piston operating therein, an inlet-chamber and exhaust-chamber, the said chambers being in port communication with the main cylinder, valves for said chambers, an auxiliary cylinder having two ports communicating with the main cylinder, one rearward of the other, a piston operating in said auxiliary cylinder and having ports in connection with the ports leading to the main cylinder while the main piston is in forward position, and the said main piston operating to cut off the communication when in rearward position, and a stem extended from the exhaust-valve and having loose connection with the piston in the auxiliary cylinder. 3. Ina gas-engine, a main cylinder, a main piston operating therein, an inlet-chamber and exhaust-chamber, the said chambers communicating with the main cylinder, an inlet controlling valve, a spring for holding said valve to its seat, an exhaust-valve, an auxiliary cylinder having two ports communicating with the main cylinder and adapted to be cut off by the main piston, a piston operating in the auxiliary cylinder and having ports normally communicating with the first named ports, a spring engaging with said piston and having a less resistance than the spring of the inlet-controlling valve, a stem extended from the exhaust-valve and having loose connection with the piston of the auxiliary cylinder, and a spring for holding said exhaust-valve to its seat.
887,502	May. 12, 1908	Internal Combustion Engine	Walter J. McVicker	Alma, MI	Abstract: My invention pertains to internal combustion engines and relates more particularly to means for controlling the exhaust valve by the force or through the influence of the pressure in the main cylinder of the engine. The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient mechanism for controlling or operating the exhaust valve at the proper moment, that is after the ignition or explosion has taken place in the main cylinder, which mechanism is actuated by an operating connection with the main shaft and which is controlled in its action by the pressure in the main cylinder. My invention also contemplates, in connection with said exhaust valve operating mechanism suitable means for operating a fuel pump which is operated simultaneously with said mechanism and is also capable of independent manual operation when it is desired to supply the carburetor with fuel when the engine is at rest. Claims: l. In an internal combustion engine, the combination, with the engine cylinder and its exhaust valve and with the shaft driven by the engine, of a valve operating rod normally out of operative relationship with the exhaust but responsive to the pressure in the engine cylinder and adapted to be placed in operative relationship after ignition or explosion in such cylinder, a bell-crank to Which one end of the rod is pivoted, a cam mounted on said shaft and arranged to rock the bell-crank, and means for holding such bell-crank towards the cam with a yielding pressure. 2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination, with the engine cylinder and its exhaust valve and with the shaft driven by the engine, of a valve operating rod normally out of operative relationship with the exhaust but responsive to the pressure in the engine cylinder and adapted to be placed in operative relationship after ignition or explosion in such cylinder, a bell-crank to which one end of the rod is pivoted, a cam-roller on the bell-crank, a cam mounted on the shaft and arranged to cooperate with the cam-roller and thereby rock the bell-crank, and a spring for holding the cam-roller against the cam. 3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination, with the engine cylinder and its exhaust valve and with the shaft driven by the engine, of a valve operating rod normally out of operative relationship with the exhaust but responsive to the pressure in the engine cylinder and adapted to be placed in operative relationship after ignition or explosion in such cylinder a bell-crank to which one end of the rod is pivoted, a cam-roller on the bell-crank, a cam mounted on the shaft and arranged to cooperate with the cam-roller and thereby rock the bell-crank, and a fuel pump having a plunger operatively connected with the bell-crank.
927,582	Jul. 13, 1909	Mechanism for Controlling the Operation of Internal Combustion Engines	Walter J. McVicker	Alma, Gratiot County, MI	Abstract: My invention relates to mechanism for controlling the operation of internal combustion engines, such as gas and gasolene engines and the like, and my object is to provide an improved organization for use in engines of the type in which the supply of fuel to the engine is automatically shut off when the means for causing its combustion in the engine is made inoperative, so that the engine may be controlled from the igniting device without loss of fuel. This result is effected in engines of this type by providing mechanism which operates automatically upon the explosion of a charge in the cylinder to open the exhaust valve to permit the escape of the explosion products, the valve remaining closed and retaining the charge in the cylinder in case it is not exploded. As the pressure due to the presence of the unexploded charge in the cylinder prevents a fresh charge from being drawn in, it follows that there is no consumption of fuel while the igniting device remains inoperative. Heretofore in engines of this type it has been customary to provide mechanism in which the force of the explosion in the main or an auxiliary cylinder as exerted directly upon the exhaust valve to open it. Instances of such arrangements are afforded in my prior patents 726,731 and 743,915, issued April 28, 1903, and November 10, 1903, respectively. The object of my present invention is to provide an organization in which the force for opening the exhaust valve is derived through another channel, the controlling mechanism that responds to the explosion of a charge in the cylinder merely acting to direct the valve opening force, and to make it effective or leave it ineffective depending upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of the explosion. Claims: 1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston therein, of an exhaust valve, a constantly reciprocating rod normally out of cooperative relationship therewith and having formed thereon a cam surface, a member adapted to be moved transversely into the path of said cam surface to shift the rod into cooperative relationship with said valve, and mechanism controlling said member responsive to each explosion in the engine cylinder. 2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination, with the main cylinder and the piston therein, of an exhaust valve, a constantly operating rod normally out of cooperative relationship therewith, a piston actuated roller adapted to be moved transversely into the path of movement of said rod and on which the latter is adapted to ride to establish said cooperative relationship, and an auxiliary cylinder in which said piston of the roller operates and which communicates with the main cylinder. 3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination, with the main cylinder and the piston therein, of an exhaust valve, a constantly operating rod normally out of cooperative relationship therewith, an eccentric for operating said rod, a member adapted to be projected across the path of said rod, a shoe on said rod which rides on said member when the latter is so projected, and shifts said rod into operative relation with said valve, and fluid pressure mechanism controlled by explosions in the main cylinder for operating said member. 4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston therein connected with the usual crank shaft, of an exhaust port, a valve therefor mounted on a valve stem, a reciprocating valve rod extending from said shaft to said valve stem, but normally out of engagement therewith an auxiliary cylinder in communication with said main cylinder, a piston in said auxiliary cylinder adapted to be moved when the pressure in the main cylinder exceeds a predetermined amount, a shoe on said reciprocating valve rod, and a part adapted to be moved by said auxiliary piston into the path of movement of said shoe, whereby the reciprocating valve rod is thrown into engagement with said valve stem. 5. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston therein, of the admission port 0, the admission valve E, the exhaust port G, the exhaust valve F, the reciprocating valve rod K normally out of engagement with said exhaust valve, the auxiliary cylinder 4 communicating with the main cylinder, the piston 0 in said auxiliary cylinder, the shoe on said valve rod, and the part Z adapted to be moved by said auxiliary piston into engagement with said shoe to throw said valve rod into engagement with said exhaust valve. 6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston therein, of an exhaust port, a valve governing the same, a reciprocating valve rod adjacent to but normally out of engagement with said exhaust valve, and adapted to reciprocate constantly while the engine is running a support for said valve rod having slotted connection therewith and adapted to swing with the reciprocation of the rod, and mechanism responsive to explosion pressure in said cylinder adapted to throw said valve rod away from its normal support and into engagement with said valve. 7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the usual cylinder, piston and crank shaft, of an exhaust port, a valve therefor having a stem, a constantly reciprocating valve rod having one end attached to an eccentric mounted on the crank shaft and having the other end disposed adjacent the end of said valve stem but out of line therewith, a support for said valve rod at such end having slotted connection therewith and adapted to swing with the reciprocation of the rod, and mechanism responsive to explosion pressure in said cylinder adapted to throw said valve rod away from its normal support and shift said rod into line with said stem so as to engage the same. 8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the usual cylinder, piston and crank shaft, of an exhaust port, a valve therefor, a stem on which said valve is mounted, a valve rod eccentrically mounted upon the crank shaft and extending substantially parallel with the piston rod to a point adjacent said valve stem, a support for said valve rod near said point having slotted connection therewith and adapted to swing with the reciprocation of the rod, and mechanism responsive to explosion pressure in said cylinder adapted to throw said valve rod away from its normal support and into line with said stem so as to engage the same, said parts being so formed as to remain in engagement during a predetermined time.
951,833	Mar. 15, 1910	Controlling Mechanism for Explosive Engines	Walter J. McVicker	Alma, Gratiot County, MI	Abstract: My invention relates to mechanism for controlling the operation of explosive engines, such as gas and. gasolene engines and any object is to provide system of control wherein two or more engines, or cylinders, may be employed to drive the same load in such a way that the work will be evenly divided between them. It is frequently of advantage to connect several small power units to drive a given load, but when this is done it has been found difficult to properly regulate the operation of the small units so that one or other would not do a disproportionately share of the work. For instance, if the governor of one engine happens to be adjusted to render the igniting device of that engine responsive at as lightly higher speed than the speed at which the igniter of the other engine becomes responsive, as the speed of both engines drops with an increasing load, the one which is adjusted to respond at the higher speed commences to do work before the other, and it may thus happen that, under certain conditions of load, one of the associated engines will do practically all of the work. Or, if the governor is common to both engines, it is entirely a matter of chance which engine will take the explosion when the work requires it; and it may thus happen that one engine or the other will be doing more than its share of work. It the principal object of my invention to provide means for insuring an even distribution of the work when a number of engines are connected to drive the same load, and this, generally speaking I accomplish by the provision of mechanism which operates automatically upon the occurrence of an explosion in one engine, to shift the next explosion, whenever the work may require it, to the other engine. This renders it practicable to use number of small engines on a given piece work, instead of a single large one, with the result a more efficient operation, and a better speed regulation may be obtained. Claims: 1. In an ignition system for explosive engines, the combination with a plurality of cylinders and an igniter for each, a circuit including a source of current associated with said igniters, a switch in said circuit adapted to render said igniters operative alternately, an electro-magnet for operating said switch, a circuit for energizing said electro-magnet, and a switch controlling said last mentioned circuit actuated by explosion effects in one of said cylinders. 2. In an ignition system for explosive engines, the combination with a plurality of cylinders and igniters therefor, of a circuit including a. source of current associated with said igniters, an electromagnetic switch in said circuit adapted to render said igniters operative alternately, a circuit for said electromagnetic switch, and pressure operated switch mechanism associated with each of said cylinders adapted to control the circuit of said electro-magnetic switch, whereby an explosion in one cylinder adapts the igniter of the other cylinder to be rendered operative. 3. In an ignition system for explosive engines, the combination with a plurality of cylinders and igniters therefor, of a circuit for said igniters including a source of current, a switch for rendering said igniters operative alternately, two electro-magnets associated with said switch and arranged to more it from one side to the other, a device associated with each cylinder and adapted to be actuated by explosion effects therein, an electric switch associated with each explosion device and adapted to be operated thereby, and a circuit arranged to connect each of the aforesaid electro-magnets with one of the pressure operated switches. 4. In an ignition system for explosive engines, the combination with a plurality of cylinders each having an igniter, of a circuit including a source of current associated with said igniters, a switch in said circuit adapted to render said igniters operative alternately, two electro-magnets associated with said switch and adapted to move the sums from one to the other of its alternate positions, a permanent magnet associated with said switch and adapted to maintain the switch in the positions to which it has been moved, an actuating circuit for said electro-magnets, and a pressure actuated switch associated with each of said cylinders, said switch being included in the circuit. of the electro-magnets and. being adapted to control the operation thereof. 5. In an ignition control system for explosive engines, the combination with a plurality of cylinders and an ignition circuit therefor, of an electro-magnetic switch for controlling said ignition circuit, said switch comprising a permanent magnet fulcrumed on a base, two electro-magnets arranged to present their poles to said permanent magnet on opposite sides thereof, said permanent magnet serving as the armature for said magnets, and being adapted to oscillate between them, and contact surfaces on said armature and the poles of said electro-magnets and being adapted to complete alternate branches on said ignition circuit as the armature oscillates from one set of poles to the other. 6. The combination, with a plurality of explosive engines and their cylinders, of igniters for said cylinders, an electrical circuit divided in a plurality of branches, one for each cylinder, a switch adapted to complete any one of the branch ignition circuits, pressure actuated mechanisms responsive to the explosions in said cylinders and adapted to control the operation of said switch, and a governor controlled by the speed of the engines and cooperating with said electrical circuit to break the same whenever the speed exceeds a predetermined maximum. 7. The combination, with a plurality of explosive engines and their cylinders, of igniters for said cylinders, an electrical circuit divided in a plurality of branches, one for each cylinder, a switch adapted to complete any one of the branch ignition circuits, pressure actuated mechanisms responsive to the explosions in said cylinders and adapted to control the operation of said switch, and a governor controlled by the speed of the engines and cooperating with said electrical circuit to break the same whenever the speed exceeds a predetermined maximum, said governor comprising a spring-pressed weight rotated by the engine and interposed in the igniter circuit, said Weight forming part of the circuit but arranged to open such circuit by its movement by centrifugal force through excessive rotation. 8. In an ignition system for explosive engines, the combination, with a plurality of cylinders each having an igniter, of a circuit including a source of current and having branches associated respectively with said igniters, an electromagnetic switch adapted to complete the circuit through said branches F successively, a control circuit for said switch having a like number of branches associated with said switch to move it to its different positions, and pressure-controlled switch mechanism associated with each of said cylinders adapted to complete the circuit through the branches of said control circuit respectively to shift said magnetic switch, whereby an explosion in one cylinder will adapt the igniter of the succeeding cylinder to be rendered operative.