Compression Volume Means Circumferentially Disposed Relative To Expansion Volume Means Patents (Class 123/228)
  • Patent number: 6065874
    Abstract: Prior art linear bearings generally have a roller element which, in such a reciprocating motion application, tend to creep or slide along the surfaces upon which they roll. This is due to unequal frictional forces between the rolling surfaces. The linear bearing of the present invention substantially prevents straying and/or sliding of roller elements, and therefore provides bearing functionality at high speeds and great loads with longer longevity and reliability. The linear bearing can be used in many engineering applications, such as in a rotary engine, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Benjamin Tour
  • Patent number: 6062188
    Abstract: A rotor provided in a cylindrical rotor holding bore in a housing is supported rotatably in the holding bore via a shaft member extending coaxially with the rotor holding bore, and the rotor has one projecting portion, a gently inclined curved pressurization surface and a steeply inclined curved pressure reception surface. The rotor housing is provided therein with first and second swinging vane mechanisms positioned substantially on both sides of the shaft member, and a suction chamber, a compression chamber, a combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber, the capacities of which vary in accordance with the rotation of the rotor, are formed via these projecting portions of the rotor and first and second swinging vane mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Toshio Okamura
  • Patent number: 5755197
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine is disclosed having a housing with a compression chamber and an expansion chamber which can be separate chambers with separate rotors located therein or a combined chamber with a single double-lobed rotor located therein defining the two chambers. One or more combustion chambers having an inlet and an outlet is located adjacent to the compression and expansion chambers. Rotary valves are located between the combustion chamber inlet and the compression chamber and the combustion chamber outlet and the expansion chamber. Hollow, tubular, piston-like saddle seals are located in the combustion chamber and are urged into sealing engagement with the rotary valves by bias means and pressure in the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Frank G. Oplt
  • Patent number: 5579733
    Abstract: A rotary motor with a pair of abutments that move relative to a rotor through the rotation of gears operatively connected to both the abutments and the rotor. The abutments and rotor are located within a housing such that the inner cavity of the housing is divided into four chambers. The rotor has a pair of blade sections that are in constant contact with the motor housing, so that the chambers are always sealed from each other. Also connected to the housing are a pair of intake ports and a pair of exhaust ports. The rotor rotates within the inner cavity pushing air from the intake ports to the exhaust ports. The abutments are constructed to move in a linear direction, to allow the blade sections to rotate from one chamber to another. The movement of the abutments is synchronous with the rotation of the rotor, so that the abutments are always in contact with the rotor to insure that there is negligible fluid communication between chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Benjamin Tour
  • Patent number: 5251594
    Abstract: A nutating internal combustion engine is disclosed including a disc having cone-shaped surfaces and a centrally disposed sphere positioned within a symmetrical, spherical-segment shaped chamber which is adapted to contain the disc and has a central bearing to movably engage the sphere and to allow the disc to nutate within the chamber to turn drive shafts. Preferably, the engine operates on a four cycle principle and combines the intake and compression chambers into a single chamber and the combustion and exhaust chambers into a single chamber to fire every 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Leonard Meyer
  • Patent number: 5138993
    Abstract: A rotary wavy motion type engine is disclosed, and the engine includes: a center housing 1 and side housing 2,2'. The center housing 1 is provided with an exhaust hole 1', and the center and side housing form a frame and an internal chamber. A disc shaped piston 4 having supporting 4a,4b is supported within a pair of arcuate recesses 2', 2a' of the side housings 2,2a. An inclined eccentric shaft 3 is rotatably secured to the disc shaped piston 4, and the other end of the shaft 3 is connected to an output shaft. The disc shaped piston 4 defines left and right chamber 5, 6, and nutation members 23,23' are attached upon and under the disc shaped piston 4 in such a manner that they should define an intaking compressing room 8 and a pressure releasing room 9. All of the above components are arranged in such a manner as to produce twisting wavy motions in the disc shaped piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Jong D. Kim
  • Patent number: 4967707
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising an external rotor housing with a wall defining an internal cylindrical chamber, an inlet for supplying compression fluid, an ignition assembly for igniting fluid within the chamber, a transfer assembly for transmitting fluid to the chamber, and an outlet exhausting combustion exhaust from the chamber. A cylindrical rotor element is also mounted within the chamber on a central rotating shaft, and includes an engagement surface with lobes extending therefrom. A seal controls the flow of fluid between the rotor element and housing wall. Rotatable pawls are mounted in the housing wall, each with an engagement surface, and movable between a position contiguous with the wall and a position wherein projecting from the wall into said chamber to continuously engage the rotor element. Rotation of the rotor element moves the pawls in continuous engagement with lobes between positions to define operating chambers located intermediate the housing wall and rotor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: H. R. Rogant
  • Patent number: 4895117
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a set of gas chambers including a compression chamber for compressing a fuel/gas mixture and a combustion and exhaust chamber for combusting the fuel/gas mixture and for exhausting the waste gases. The compression chamber and the combustion and exhaust chamber are defined by a stationary wall and a moving wall. Means are provided for sequestering a portion of the gases in the compression chamber. The sequestering means are controlled by the position of the sequestering means with respect to the wall of the compression chamber. A transfer chamber saves the sequestering gases and releases the sequested gases into the combustion and exhaust chamber at a predetermined time in the engine cycle before the gases are exhausted from the engine. The gas sequestering and transfer means can be used in a rotary engine, a linear engine, and a reciprocating engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 4760701
    Abstract: An external combustion rotary engine comprising a motor member, a free-piston combustion member and a storage tank serving also as a heat exchanger and located between the motor and the combustor. The motor rotors rotate inside an enveloping structure eccentrically with respect to a power shaft to form alternatively compression and expansion chambers. Compressed air produced thereby is ducted first to the storage tank and then to the combustor for burning fuel to produce combusted gases which are in turn ducted to the storage tank where heat is exchanged between the hot gases and the cooler compressed air. The combusted gas is then expanded in the expansion chambers. A fraction of the compressed air is further compressed to a higher pressure level so that it may be used in air pad cushions to isolate the various engine rotating parts from the fixed structures surrounding them. The use of such air cushions prevents contacts between moving parts and eliminates friction, heat production therefrom and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Inventor: Constant V. David
  • Patent number: 4683852
    Abstract: A novel internal combustion engine has a single toroidal cylinder and a set of pistons, e.g. four, which are set in a circle and rotate in the toroid. The toroid can be interrupted by separating walls to form, with the pistons, compression or expansion chambers, so enabling four stroke e.g. Otto operation. The separating walls can be withdrawn and reinserted to allow the pistons to pass. Output is direct e.g. by a shaft in the center of a disc whose periphery carries the pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Inventor: Georg Kypreos-Pantazis
  • Patent number: 4423710
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder bore in a stator sealed between parallel end walls; a power shaft concentric with the cylinder bore journaled in bearings in the end walls; an annular eccentric piston fixed onto the engine shaft just clearing the end walls and the cylinder as it rotates. A first abutment with one end pivotally anchored in the stator near 10:00 o'clock, the other end projecting clockwise and free to swing vertically in the cylinder space, seals the space between the cylinder and the piston from end wall to end wall, forming the counter-clockwise end of a combustion-expansion chamber. A second abutment, pivotally anchored in the stator near 2:00 o'clock, its free end projecting counter-clockwise and sealing the space between the cylinder and piston from end wall to end wall, forms the clockwise end of the combustion-expansion chamber. Both abutments are spring biased downward toward the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1984
    Inventor: Robert H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4399654
    Abstract: A power plant including a vane type engine having fuel compression means and a gas expansion means. Air or an air-fuel mixture compressed by the vanes in the compression means is fed to a free piston combustion member where burning takes place and gases are returned to the gas expansion means of the engine to drive the power shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Inventor: Constant V. David
  • Patent number: 4342297
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder in a stator sealed between parallel end plates, a power shaft concentric with the cylinder bore and journaled in bearings in the end walls, an annular eccentric rotor fitted onto the shaft, and an annular piston concentric with and fitted over the rotor making sliding sealing engagement with both end plates. An abutment centered preferably between 10:00 and 10:30 o'clock on the stator seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the counterclockwise end of a combustion-expansion chamber. A second abutment, centered preferably between 1:30 and 2:00 o'clock, seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the clockwise end of the combustion-expansion chamber. The combustion chamber centered at 12:00 o'clock comprises a shallow arcuate cavity adjacent the path of the piston and opening into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Robert H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4342296
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder in a stator sealed between parallel end plates, a power shaft concentric with the cylinder bore and journaled in bearings in the end walls, an annular eccentric rotor fitted onto the shaft, and an annular piston concentric with and fitted over the rotor making sliding sealing engagement with both end plates. An abutment centered preferably between 10:00 and 10:30 o'clock on the stator seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the counterclockwise end of a combustion-expansion chamber. A second abutment, centered preferably between 1:30 and 2:00 o'clock, seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the clockwise end of the combustion-expansion chamber. The combustion chamber centered at 12:00 o'clock comprises a shallow arcuate cavity adjacent the path of the piston and opening into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Robert H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4342295
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder in a stator sealed between parallel end plates, a power shaft concentric with the cylinder bore and journaled in bearings in the end walls, an annular eccentric rotor fitted onto the shaft, and an annular piston concentric with and fitted over the rotor making sliding sealing engagement with both end plates. An abutment centered preferably between 10:00 and 10:30 o'clock on the stator seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the counterclockwise end of a combustion-expansion chamber. A second abutment, centered preferably between 1:30 and 2:00 o'clock, seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the clockwise end of the combustion-expansion chamber. The combustion chamber centered at 12:00 o'clock comprises a shallow arcuate cavity adjacent the path of the piston and opening into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Robert H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4337741
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a housing, a rotor-receiving chamber in the housing, a rotor which is mounted for rotation in the rotor-receiving chamber, at least five discrete combustion chambers which are separated by lobe portions of the rotor, and a valving arrangement for each lobe portion of the rotor, each valving arrangement being mounted in the housing and including an exhaust valve, a power/exhaust slide, a by-pass valve, an induction/compression slide, and an inlet valve, the power/exhaust slide being positioned between the exhaust valve and the by-pass valve, the by-pass valve being positioned between the power/exhaust slide and the induction/compression slide, and the induction/compression slide being positioned between the by-pass valve and the inlet valve, the by-pass valve allowing compressed gas to pass from the combustion chamber adjacent one side of a lobe portion to the combustion chamber adjacent the other side of the lobe portion whereby in use of the engine the compresse
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Q. McKenna, Peter J. Raven
  • Patent number: 4311121
    Abstract: An improved rotary device is provided which can be used either as an internal combustion engine or a compressor. The device includes a housing having an interior cylindrical chamber; a rotary piston with at least one, but preferably three protruding lobes, positioned within the chamber; and a shaft for rotatably mounting the rotary piston coaxially within the chamber. At least one and preferably two diametrically opposed planar seal members are slidably disposed within slots formed in the housing and open to the housing chamber. An elongated guide member is secured at one end to each seal member and, at its other end, is positioned within a guide slot formed in at least one and preferably both axial ends of the rotary piston. The guide slots are formed so as to maintain one end of each seal member in sealing contact with the rotary piston regardless of its rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1982
    Inventor: Larry L. Hartsell
  • Patent number: 4286555
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder in a stator sealed between parallel end plates, a power shaft concentric with the cylinder bore and journaled in bearings in the end walls, an annular eccentric rotor fitted onto the shaft, and an annular piston concentric with and fitted over the rotor making sliding sealing engagement with both end plates. An abutment centered preferably between 10:00 and 10:30 o'clock on the stator seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the counter-clockwise end of a combustion-expansion chamber. A second abutment, centered preferably between 1:30 and 2:00 o'clock, seals the space between the cylinder and piston from endplate to endplate and forms the clockwise end of the combustion-expansion chamber. The combustion chamber centered at 12:00 o'clock comprises a shallow arcuate cavity adjacent the path of the piston and opening into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Robert H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4200084
    Abstract: A disc is fixedly secured to a main shaft for rotation therewith between a cover member and a housing. The disc carries four piston lugs equally disposed about its periphery and which extend radially therefrom for rotary passage through an annular action channel formed between the cover and the housing. Three radially extending combustion members are carried by the housing, equally spaced about the axis of rotation of said main shaft and so that a portion of each of said combustion members extends into said annular action channel for successive co-operation with each of said piston lugs. Each combustion member carries a cam follower which extends from its respective combustion chamber into a radial cam track formed in a cam member carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith. The rotary piston engine provides a highly efficient use of fuel with an advantegeous weight to power output ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Inventors: Kirill M. Alexeev, Antonina I. Alexeev
  • Patent number: 4096846
    Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure engine having good fuel efficiency and low pollutant emissions. An annnular chamber of uniform cross-section forms a cylinder housing. An endless rotor is centrally positioned and movable in the cylinder housing. The rotor comprises at least one uniform thickness and height section which is connected to at least one enlarged height piston section, the rotor central width being approximately equal to the central width of the cylinder housing. At least one air floating valve member is formed in the cylinder housing, the valve members being movable by the enlarged height rotor section. The engine can be utilized to provide a compressed air source; to operate as a fluid pump; or utilized to turn a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Inventor: Alfred Biles
  • Patent number: 4086881
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a rotary engine characterized by the fact that it consists of a cylindrical outer shell and of a concentric internal cylindrical body, between which operates a coaxial rotary piston which is also cylindrical, and of a chamber for air or carburetted fuel mixture under pressure, for feeding the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Fabrique Nationale Herstal S.A., en abrege FN
    Inventor: Jean J. Rutten