Patents Assigned to Balanced Engines, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5456076
    Abstract: A balanced compound, regenerative cycle, external heat source engine is mad by using mechanically double acting rigidly affixed and self-aligned reciprocating opposed piston and cylinder structure in which substantially all of the energy created during reciprocating motion is converted or translated into rotational motion by the action of a scotch yoke type, transfer lubricated, sliding/roller bearing mechanism which acts on a single and centrally located crankshaft which is contained in a telescopic crankcase structure. A balanced compound engine structure may be constructed so that two or more subsystems are housed in one or more modules. Two or more power modules may then be coupled together and an engine power and speed control may be attained by varying the relative phase angle of the couple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Zornes
  • Patent number: 5149208
    Abstract: A bearing has a plurality of rolling elements in a raceway which are separated by lubricating spacer elements and non-lubricating spacer elements. The lubricating spacer elements are free to float between the rolling elements and can provide all of the lubrication for the bearing. The non-lubricating spacer elements may also be free to float between the rolling elements or can be provided by a cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Zornes
  • Patent number: 5092185
    Abstract: A Scotch yoke mechanism has a yoke frame with opposed parallel tracks engaged by rollers presented by a block assembly and is arranged to transmit power between a rotating crankshaft on a crankpin of which the block assembly is mounted and oppositely directed pistons mounted on the yoke frame, which moves linearly along a reciprocation axis. Two additional Scotch yoke mechanisms of the same type are presented by a cage surrounding the yoke frame and presenting two additional pistons opposing those of the first-mentioned Scotch yoke mechanism. The cage operates from two spaced apart crankpins which are aligned, and also moves linearly along the reciprocation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Zornes, Jan W. Van Wyk
  • Patent number: 5078017
    Abstract: A motion translation device uses a slotted head similar to that used in scotch yoke devices in which tracks are provided at opposite sides of the slot, but laterally offsets the tracks relative to one another and uses two coaxial rollers, each engaging only a respective one of the tracks. The rollers are journaled on a rotating member in offset relation to the rotary axis of the rotating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Davied A. Zornes
  • Patent number: 5040906
    Abstract: A bearing has rolling elements separated by floating spacer elements. Some of the floating spacer elements provide solid lubricant for lubricating the bearing. Other floating spacer elements may be non-lubricating. The lubricant-providing elements are alternated with the non-lubricating elements to maintain the alignment and spacing of the rolling elements, thereby promoting proper operation of the bearings throughout the life of the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Zornes
  • Patent number: 4906110
    Abstract: A bearing unit has rolling elements separated by floating solid-lubricant spacers which interfit with the roller elements. When the rolling elements are rollers, the ends of the rollers are lubricated by solid lubricant caps on the rollers, or by end portions of the spacer which overlap the roller ends, or by end ring members of solid-lubricant material. If the bearing unit includes a cage, floating solid-lubricant spacers are located between the cage dividers and the rolling elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan W. Van Wyk, David A. Zornes, Bruce L. Zornes
  • Patent number: 4901787
    Abstract: A regenerative heat exchanger in which a compact arrangement of alternating thermally conductive and thermally insulating solid layers have an array of communicating passages therethrough. One of the outer thermally conductive layers is heated and the other is cooled. The intermediate thermally conductive layer(s) has a regenerative function when flow is alternated through the passages. Although each passage is preferably small, the total number of passages in the array is such as to give a large combined cross-sectional area for heat transfer providing improved overall performance and efficiency when incorporated in stirling and other heat engines without sacrificing structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Balanced Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce L. Zornes