Abstract: A device and method for selectively maintaining pressure in a toroidal cylinder having an internal wall and a piston moving in the toroidal cylinder, the device including at least one partition plate pivotally mounted in the internal wall for selective sealing engagement of the internal wall of the cylinder, whereby a selected portion of the cylinder between the partition plate and the piston is selectively maintained at high pressure.

Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine including a housing structure defining a toroidal volume and including first and second housing sections, a rotor structure mounted for rotation in the housing structure and including first and second rotor members respectively that coact with first and second housing sections to define first and second toroidal cylinders. The intake and compression strokes are performed in the first toroidal cylinder and the resultant compressed charge being thereafter transferred by a transfer mechanism through a transfer passage to the second toroidal cylinder where combustion occurs and expansion and exhaust strokes are performed.