Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve (1) for an internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder head (10) having a bore in which an axial flow rotary valve (1) rotates. The valve having a cylindrical centre portion (4), and an inlet and an exhaust port (2, 3) terminating as openings (7, 8) in the centre portion, the openings periodically communicating with a combustion chamber (23) through a window (15) in the bore. The clearance between the centre portion and the bore being sealed by an array of floating seals comprising at least two axial seals (16a, 16b) spaced apart on opposite sides of the window. The assembly further comprising at least one floating axially extending masking seal (5) being disposed outside the window and circumferentially remote from the axial seals.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve (1) for an internal combustion engine and method of manufacture thereof. The valve comprising a centre portion (5) having a cylindrical periphery, inlet and exhaust portions (9, 16) both smaller in diameter than the centre portion, and an inlet port (3) and an exhaust port (4) terminating respectively as an inlet opening (6) and an exhaust opening (7) in the periphery of the centre portion. The centre portion having at least one elongate passage (21) communicating between the inlet portion and the exhaust portion, the whole of the passage being disposed circumferentially outside the openings and radially outside at least one of the inlet and exhaust portions.

Abstract: An axial flow rotary valve for an engine, that is rotatable about an axis within the bore of a cylinder head. The valve communicating with a respective cylinder in which a piston reciprocates, and an ignition means associated with the cylinder. The valve is provided with inlet and exhaust peripheral openings that periodically communicate with cylinder through a window in the bore. A combustion chamber is formed in the space between the crown of the piston at top dead centre and the cylinder head and the valve. The ignition means comprising first and second spark plugs, each of said spark plugs having a nose located at one end thereof exposed to the combustion chamber, said noses being disposed on opposite sides of said window within the axial extremities of said window.

Abstract: A gas sealing element of an array of floating seals for a rotary valve internal combustion engine. The engine comprising a cylinder head (6) having a bore (8), a rotary valve (1) within the bore with a predetermined clearance, and a window (12) in the bore communicating with a combustion chamber. The sealing element (15) having an elongate form and having a sealing face (23), an underside (24) opposite said sealing face, and first and second side faces (25,26) opposite each other, the sealing element being adapted to be located in a slot (20) in the cylinder head bore. The side face (25) of the sealing element facing the window having at least one channel (17) extending from the sealing face to the underside of the sealing element.

Abstract: A sealing system for an axial flow rotary valve internal combustion engine comprising an array of floating gas seals and an optional oil sealing system. The array of floating seals surrounding a window (15) in the bore (11) of the cylinder head (10) through which the ports (2, 3) of the valve (1) communicate with a combustion chamber (31). The array of floating seals comprising axial seals (16) and circumferential seals (17) housed in slots (18, 19) in the bore of the cylinder head wherein the circumferential seals are disposed axially between the ends of the axial seals.