Patents by Inventor Alex R. Hathaway Shields

Alex R. Hathaway Shields has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8356585
    Abstract: A planetary engine includes a charge compression system for compressing a charge of air and/or an air and fuel mixture that is precompressed by rotation of the rotors and supplied into a combustion chamber through a rotary valve that may be actively adjusted during operation of the engine to vary the intake valve opening size and/or timing. Exhaust valves may likewise be actively adjustable rotary valves for further engine control. A compression insert mounted between the end wall assemblies absorbs combustion forces and provides rigidity to the engine, as well as occupies all or nearly all of the volume between the rotors at the minimum volume of the combustion chamber to improve the compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Planetary Rotor Engine Company
    Inventors: Richard B. Hathaway, Alex R. Hathaway Shields, David A. Sculthorpe
  • Publication number: 20090308347
    Abstract: A planetary engine includes a charge compression system for compressing a charge of air and/or an air and fuel mixture that is precompressed by rotation of the rotors and supplied into a combustion chamber through a rotary valve that may be actively adjusted during operation of the engine to vary the intake valve opening size and/or timing. Exhaust valves may likewise be actively adjustable rotary valves for further engine control. A compression insert mounted between the end wall assemblies absorbs combustion forces and provides rigidity to the engine, as well as occupies all or nearly all of the volume between the rotors at the minimum volume of the combustion chamber to improve the compression ratio of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: P.R.E.C.
    Inventors: Richard B. Hathaway, Alex R. Hathaway Shields, David A. Sculthorpe