Rotary Patents (Class 123/200)
  • Publication number: 20120240896
    Abstract: The invention presents an internal combustion engine with rotating cylinder block able to use liquid and gas fuel. The design allows substantial reduction of weight and vibration in comparison with engines presently in use and will be preferred for use in weight sensitive vehicles. Ability to make part of the cylinders inactive improves fuel efficiency at partial loads. While the engine operation is similar to typical internal combustion engine, the configuration of cylinders and inlet-outlet valves is different. The engine consists of a cylinder block with radially positioned cylinders open to the outside, pistons moving inside cylinders and valve units (or piston units) positioned outside the perimeter the cylinder block and synchronized to open and close inlet-outlet openings located in pistons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Tadeusz Slawinski
  • Publication number: 20120227703
    Abstract: A rotary engine includes a casing having a large circular boring, a small circular boring, whereby the small circular boring interconnects with the large circular boring. A piston rotor is carried in a rotating manner within the large circular boring in the casing. A power head, ported to pass exhaust gases thru it's hollow center shaft, is carried in a rotating manner within the small circular boring in the casing. The piston rotor and the power head are meshed together to properly rotate during operation, with the piston rotor rotating counterclockwise and the power head rotating clockwise. A second powerhead can also be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: John Larry Gaither
  • Publication number: 20120210973
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine including: a cylinder having a cylinder circumferential wall provided with a horizontal valve groove on its inner circumferential surface; a working shaft concentrically run through said cylinder and held so as to freely rotate; a rotor comprising a rotor base made up of a circular shell and a rotor blade standing in a radial direction of a rotor base surrounding wall; a shutoff valve to perform intermittent movements of insertion and returning between an outside of said cylinder and a cylinder space; and side ribs each having a longitudinal valve groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Makoto MURATA
  • Publication number: 20120192830
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary piston engine includes a cylinder housing a power piston and a second piston which is coupled to the power piston. A shaft is coaxially supported in the cylinder and is able to rotate along a longitudinal axis that is fixed from translational motion along the axis. The pistons are mounted on the shaft in a manner where they can reciprocate along a shaft and rotate with a shaft. A track and bearing system couples the second piston to the cylinder and is configured to cause the second piston and thus the piston and shaft to rotate as the piston reciprocates along the shaft. The track of the track and bearing system is formed with a radius which is greater than the radius of the power piston. The torque produced by the engine can be varied by varying the radius of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Are Engines Limited
    Inventor: Mansour Almassi
  • Patent number: 8220435
    Abstract: A rotary piston engine includes a generally triangular rotor, a pair of side housings, a rotor housing which is assembled with the rotor and the pair of side housings to define three working chambers, an intake port formed in at least one of the side housings, and an exhaust port formed in at least one of the side housings. The length of one side of the triangular face of the rotor is at least 2.4 times the breadth of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ritsuharu Shimizu, Shinya Ueki
  • Publication number: 20120174879
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved rotary engine having one positive motion stroke, the rotary engine comprising at least one of a piston having at least one piston vane. At least one of a unidirectional bearing is operationally coupled to the piston, wherein the piston is configured to allow the piston vane to rotate and the unidirectional bearing prevents the piston vane from rotating during a combustive force or a thrust force injection. A peddle block is positioned in the pathway of the piston vane, wherein as the piston vane approaches the peddle block a secondary exhaust pressure increases against the piston vane surface, the secondary exhaust pressure, in part, causes the piston vane to rotate and self-align for a subsequent cycle. Other exemplary embodiments allow for a secondary exhaust pressure to rotate a piston vane causing the piston vane to self-aligning for the next cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Boots Rolf Hughston
  • Publication number: 20120160209
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to turbine comprising a housing having an input port and at least one output port. The turbine also comprises two rotors enclosed within the housing. The rotors counter-rotate within a same plane. In their rotation, the two rotors cooperate to create chambers within the housing. A chamber is created and starts to expand while another chamber having been created earlier continues its own expansion. One of these expanding chambers is connected to the input port. A third chamber is in contact with an output port. The turbine may be used as a compressor, an energy generator, a pump or as a building block of a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Bobby BOUCHER
  • Publication number: 20120145119
    Abstract: A rotary device is described for use in a rotary engine, or a compressor, or turbine, the rotary device comprising two rotors disposed adjacent each other and rotatable about substantially parallel axes of rotation. Each of the rotors has protrusions extending therefrom at regular intervals about the circumference of each to define an open portion of a sealable compression chamber between adjacent protrusions. Each protrusion has two side surfaces and a projecting end surface, wherein the meeting point between each side surface and the projecting end surface defines a tip. The two rotors are arranged such that upon contra rotation of the rotors, a protrusion of one of the rotors engages between a pair of protrusions on the other rotor, and the tips of the engaging rotor are in constant sealing contact with the opposing side surfaces of the pair of protrusions for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Patrick O'Connor
  • Patent number: 8159081
    Abstract: An engine having at least one stage of propeller rotor blades, and a load, the at least one stage being associated with electrical generation means to generate electricity for the load. The load is switchable into a high load state in the event of an overspeed signal from the rotor blades. Also a method of controlling rotor overspeed of an engine, characterized by the steps of: i. detecting an overspeed signal from the at least one stage, and ii. switching the load into a high load state to apply torque to the at least one stage to counteract the overspeed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: David Michael Gainford, Jonathan Edmund Holt
  • Publication number: 20110271929
    Abstract: A combustion apparatus having a housing including an inner surface that defines at least one chamber, a rotor, a rotor shaft, an intake shaft, an exhaust shaft, and a gearing mechanism. The chamber includes an intake valve port and an exhaust valve port, and the rotor shaft is coupled to a gear at one end and has at least two opposing flat surfaces received by an opening in the rotor. The intake and exhaust shafts are geared to the rotor shaft and have at least one opening each that is aligned with the intake and the exhaust valve ports. A gearing mechanism selectively controls the duration in which the openings are aligned with the ports. Two or more rotors may be utilized to produce more power and reduce vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: David DuSell Gray
  • Publication number: 20110259295
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine that includes a rotary device is disclosed. A rotary head has an expansion chamber that includes intake and exhaust slots. A drum with axial slots radially displaced over its circumference is disposed in close noncontacting proximity to the inner side of the rotary head. The drum and the rotary head are substantially rotationally symmetric about a common axis. Radially moveable plates respond to a mechanical control mechanism adapted to move each plate from a retracted position in which the plate is located entirely within the outer surface of the drum and an extended position in which the plate is in close proximity to an upper surface of the expansion chamber to substantially seal the expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventor: Ionel Mihailescu
  • Patent number: 8037862
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine has a chamber defined by a chamber wall and a rotor valve body in three locus-sealing contact with the chamber wall to define a series of three subchambers including a first subchamber for sequential compression, transfer, and combustion of a fuel mixture from a chamber fuel mixture intake and for exhausting combustion products through a chamber exhaust outlet. The rotor body defines a first bodily internal path for fuel mixture travel from the intake to the first subchamber for compression and combustion to combustion products, and a second bodily internal exhaust travel path between the combustion products in the first subchamber and the chamber exhaust outlet for exhausting of the combustion products. The chamber and rotor cooperate to transfer compressed fuel mixture past the rotor within the first subchamber. The rotor further defines a sealing and sliding valve structure with the chamber wall for controlling intake into and exhaust from the first subchamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Richard L. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20110247583
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine includes crank-driven gates to synchronously form chambers for the intake, compression, combustion, expansion and exhaust of a working medium during a high-efficiency hybrid engine cycle. A variety of rotor geometries and sealing apparatuses may work with a rotary engines in the execution of various engine cycles including, but not limited to, a high-efficiency hybrid engine cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: LIQUIDPISTON, INC.
    Inventors: Nikolay Shkolnik, Alexander C. Shkolnik, Stephen L. Nabours, Gnana Prakash Gnanam, David Collis Kieke, Yehoram Hofman
  • Publication number: 20110214638
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a generally rotary design is described. The engine includes a rotor that alternately rotates about first, second, and third axes of rotation as the rotor circulates within the engine. Each axis of rotation is about perpendicular to the other two axes of rotation. The rotor includes two flanges that alternately compress fluid in combustion chambers as the flanges rotatably enter and sweep through compression lobes. Detonation of compressed, combustible fluid occurs in the combustion chambers, force from the detonation driving the rotor about the axes of rotation. The rotor exerts maximum leverage on a power shaft at the point of detonation, and continues to exert similar leverage on the power shaft as the rotor rotates. The engine typically includes one or more power modules, each of the one or more power modules having three compression lobes and three combustion chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: James L. Groves
  • Publication number: 20110174261
    Abstract: A shaft for a rotary engine defines an axis of rotation, a first eccentric cam axially displaced from a second eccentric cam along the axis of rotation, the first eccentric cam aligned with the second eccentric cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Glenn L. Havskjold, Mark David Horn, Khin C. Phul
  • Publication number: 20110162617
    Abstract: A dual-rotor engine comprises a cylinder assembly, a transmission output mechanism, a rotor control mechanism and a lubrication system. The cylinder assembly comprises a tubular cylinder (6) and two rotors (1a, 1b). Each of the rotors (1a, 1b) comprises an inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b), a rotor journal (20a, 20b) integrated with the inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b) and two sector pistons (17a, 17b) symmetrically secured to the inner cylindrical cylinder (99a, 99b); four sector pistons (17a, 17b) of two rotors (1a, 1b) are arranged crosswise to each other, and two adjacent sector pistons (17a, 17b) form a combustion chamber. The transmission output mechanism comprises two rotor gears (2a, 2b) and two driving gears (3a, 3b) which engaged with each other respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventor: Zhenming Zhang
  • Publication number: 20110108663
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a propulsion device for an aircraft. The propulsion device comprises a first energy converter (4), a second energy converter (5) and a propulsion unit (1). The first energy converter (4) provides first propulsion energy, and the second energy converter (5) provides second propulsion energy. The first energy converter (4) and the second energy converter (5) are adapted to provide the first propulsion energy and the second propulsion energy to the propulsion device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Westenberger
  • Publication number: 20110107999
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine including: a cylinder having a cylinder circumferential wall provided with a horizontal valve groove on its inner circumferential surface; a working shaft concentrically run through said cylinder and held so as to freely rotate; a rotor comprising a rotor base made up of a circular shell and a rotor blade standing in a radial direction of a rotor base surrounding wall; a shutoff valve to perform intermittent movements of insertion and returning between an outside of said cylinder and a cylinder space; and side ribs each having a longitudinal valve groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Makoto Murata
  • Patent number: 7938097
    Abstract: Presented is a very low speed, high torque, horizontally opposed, rotary, valveless, Otto cycle piston engine producing four power strokes per revolution, the engine consisting of a fixed engine case assembly having upper and lower plates, the engine rotor assembly having upper and lower plates, sandwiching a single, closed ended cylinder assembly, the cylinder containing intake and exhaust-intake ports, independently reciprocating power and head pistons, each piston being reciprocally controlled by its vertically projecting piston bearing sets contacting respective sets of upper and lower, inner and outer peripheral cam plates, the engine being thus rotated, the cylinder being lubricated by a sealed, recirculating air-oil mist system, the engine rotor assembly having a lower, vertically projecting gear box housing containing a gas porting cap, a vertical drive shaft, two counter rotating output shafts, intake and exhaust pipes, and an exhaust gas filter canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: James Douglas Sparling
  • Publication number: 20110100321
    Abstract: A rotary power device comprising: a toroidal cavity, an inclined power shaft, two rotors carrying pistons and two concentric Cardan joints. The Cardan joints interconnect the power shaft with the rotors. The power shaft and the two Cardan joints are disposed away from the toroidal cavity in order their dimensions, hence their strength are not limited by the geometry of the toroidal cavity. Variable displacement engines and variable capacity pumps are optional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Manousos Pattakos, Argyro Pattakou, Emmanouel Pattakos
  • Patent number: 7913663
    Abstract: A rotary piston machine 10 includes an enclosure 12 having a cavity 14 therein with arcuate side walls 16a,b,c defining a plurality of arcuate recesses 18a,b,c and a piston member 20 rotationally disposed in the cavity 14. The piston member 20 includes opposite ends 42 and 43 configured to rotationally engage the arcuate side walls 16a,b,c and the arcuate recesses 18a,b,c such that compression chambers 26a,b,c are ultimately formed via the piston member ends 42 and 43 cooperatively engaging two arcuate recesses 18a,b,c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Archibald L. Cobbs
  • Publication number: 20110000460
    Abstract: Kinematics of a rotary piston engine are guided by a sliding guidance mechanism mounted in a biangular piston. The mechanism is arranged relative to a fixed point of a housing having a runway formed with a single-arc trochoid. A sliding component moves within a groove in the piston. A housing-mounted pin is coupled to the sliding component and defines a rotating radius during motion relative to the piston. The piston has a minimal opening in a sidewall for the pin to couple to the sliding component allowing a maximal portion of the piston to be available for lateral fluid exchange during piston movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Eggert Guenther
  • Publication number: 20100319652
    Abstract: A rotor housing assembly is adapted such that a barrel valve is arranged to regulate the flow of fuel/air mixture both from outside the housing assembly into an internal lubrication flow path and from the internal lubrication flow path into an internal chamber. The barrel valve includes a substantially cylindrical valve member diagonally traversed by a separation plate, dividing the interior of the valve member into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Fuel/air mixture entering the housing assembly from outside passes through the inlet chamber and fuel/air mixture entering the internal chamber passes through the outlet chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: ROTARY ENGINE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: William L. Cooper, J. Scott Webber
  • Publication number: 20100275876
    Abstract: This rotary engine configuration combines the four cycles required to produce power, thrust, exhaust, intake, and compression which are merged into a single cycle per revolution. Most conventional engine designs need two revolutions. This requires the mechanical functions to produce power simultaneously; consequently, the parts are performing several functions at the same time. So, only very few parts are needed. The rotor is the big worker. Combustion turns the rotor power cog one way, while the exhaust gases go the opposite way to escape through an opening directly behind the power cog, into the open air. In this concept, where many power generating functions are going on at the same time, only one moving assembly is needed. Fewer parts used translate into the many benefits described in the claims. The fact that 345 degrees pressure differential are being applied to the power cog is doing work. This work produced during the 345 degrees maximizes more fuel economy compared to conventional engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: Robert Jackson Reid
  • Publication number: 20100263622
    Abstract: A rotary engine includes one or more combustion chambers around a turbine, and a movable plate at an opening of the combustion chamber and rotated 90 degrees and protruded from the turbine. Both sides of the movable plate and the diameter of the turbine form an align straight line. The turbine comprises a slide member, a U-shape groove, a ditch with an open end coupled to the movable plate to form the explosion chamber. During explosion, the movable plate drives the turbine to rotate while eliminating the waste gases. The air current and pressure of the explosion apply forces to rotate the bottom of the combustion chamber. The volume of the explosion chamber can be extended to provide a relatively large open space since the movable plate can be moved and a higher pressure gases will be reduced rapidly so that the high-pressure gases can produce a greater force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: JUNG-KUANG CHOU
  • Publication number: 20100251990
    Abstract: An engine comprising a first section having a first face and a second section having a second face, the first and second faces being opposed to one another and arranged for relative rotation, the first face comprising at least one chamber, the second face comprising a plurality of discrete regions each being associated with a discrete stage of a combustion cycle, wherein the first and second faces are arranged such that relative rotation thereof causes the at least one chamber of the first face to be exposed to the discrete regions of the second face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth McDonald
  • Patent number: 7793516
    Abstract: The problems of prior compressor structures relying upon conventional check valves are obviated by using, instead, flow control passages which operate to control flow while avoiding mechanical moving elements which may become problematical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy Samuel Farrow, Albert Vincent Makley
  • Publication number: 20100218741
    Abstract: A thermal engine includes a cylinder and piston and an insulated thermal battery including at least a thermal mass such as the engine block itself for storing and retaining heat to enhance or cause fluid expansion within the cylinder and drive the piston, the thermal battery optionally including an electrolyte chamber containing a thermal electrolyte for functioning as an electric thermal battery. Heat is stored in the thermal battery such as by activating electric resistance heating elements in the thermal mass. The stored heat either causes expansion of a non-combustible expansion fluid such as water or enhances the expansion of a combustible expansion fluid such as gasoline. Where the thermal battery is an electric thermal battery containing an electrolyte, the storage of heat also stores electricity which can be used to power an electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Anthony
  • Publication number: 20100186707
    Abstract: The engine under U.S. Pat. No. 7,421,986 comprises a pair radially opposite cylinders spaced in the plain of the working cylinders of the above engine coaxially apart in the opposite sides of the rotor along the axis being perpendicular to the above said cylinders axes and to the rotor axis and extends cross a rotor axis. There are a pistons spaced in each of said cylinders for displacement along the cylinder axis. Each of the said piston is connected respectively to the rotary ring by crankshaft. The pressure in all above cylinders afford resultant torques which act on the rotor and on the rotary ring and the balance of all resultant torques on the driven shaft ensure high affectivity of the novel engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventor: Leonid Yakhnis
  • Publication number: 20100170469
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine includes an outer housing and an inner housing and an enclosure defined therebetween. At least one of the outer and inner housings is rotatable relative to the other and at least two barriers are disposed in the enclosure and divide the enclosure into a combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber. At least one barrier is rotatable relative to at least one other barrier and at least one barrier comprises a retractable barrier mounted along a pivot axis and is pivotable between an extended position and a retracted position. An intake port, exhaust port, and ignition source are also provided. A method of combusting a fuel comprises rotating a drive member to expand a combustion chamber and substantially isolate the combustion chamber from an exhaust chamber, and introducing and combusting a combustion fluid and a fuel in the combustion chamber as the combustion chamber is expanding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Scott HUDSON
  • Publication number: 20100071657
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine has two opposing rotary discs. Each rotary disc has a half-cylindrical chamber located around its perimeter. An outer casing encompasses both rotary discs. Intake and exhaust ports and necessary engine controls are formed in said outer casing. Pistons formed in each said disc. Half of said piston is connected permanently to one said rotary disc the other half of said piston slides in the half cylindrical chamber of the opposing said rotary disc. The pistons and cylindrical chambers develop varying volumes in each chamber, depending on the position of each disc and respective piston. These varying volumes perform different cycles common to four stroke piston engines. Mechanical devises allow the discs to rotate in only one direction. Mechanical devises allow the disc to engage output shaft in only one direction. From output shaft work can be derived.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald Francis Murawsky
  • Patent number: 7669577
    Abstract: A gerotor and methods for assembling the gerotor are disclosed. The gerotor includes a pump housing having a channel and a rotor positioning cavity, a pump shaft, an inner rotor, and an outer rotor. The pump shaft has central pump shaft axis and the inner rotor has a central inner rotor axis. The methods include: inserting the pump shaft through the channel; sliding the inner rotor onto the pump shaft at an oblique angle such that the central inner rotor axis is at least partially angularly offset from the central pump shaft axis; rotating the inner rotor to substantially align the central inner rotor axis and the central pump shaft axis and to engage the pump shaft with the inner rotor; and positioning the outer rotor around the inner rotor to maintain substantial alignment of the inner rotor with the pump housing and/or the pump shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Paul A. Rosso
  • Publication number: 20100024763
    Abstract: Presented is a very low speed, high torque, horizontally opposed, rotary, valveless, Otto cycle piston engine producing four power strokes per revolution, the engine consisting of a fixed engine case assembly having upper and lower plates, the engine rotor assembly having upper and lower plates, sandwiching a single, closed ended cylinder assembly, the cylinder containing intake and exhaust-intake ports, independently reciprocating power and head pistons, each piston being reciprocally controlled by its vertically projecting piston bearing sets contacting respective sets of upper and lower, inner and outer peripheral cam plates, the engine being thus rotated, the cylinder being lubricated by a sealed, recirculating air-oil mist system, the engine rotor assembly having a lower, vertically projecting gear box housing containing a gas porting cap, a vertical drive shaft, two counter rotating output shafts, intake and exhaust pipes, and an exhaust gas filter canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: James Douglas Sparling
  • Patent number: 7627407
    Abstract: An ECU determines the presence/absence of a fault of a negative pressure generation device that has an ejector that generates a negative pressure that is greater than the negative pressure that is to be extracted from an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and a VSV that causes the ejector to function or stop functioning. The ECU includes a presence/absence-of-abnormality determination portion that determines the presence/absence of an abnormality of the negative pressure generation device on the basis of variation of the rotation speed Ne of the internal combustion engine in accordance with change in the state of operation of the VSV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigemasa Hirooka
  • Patent number: 7621255
    Abstract: A rotary motion device having piston valves that define an open region that are adapted to engage a power tooth of the power ring as the power ring rotates around the piston valves and the piston valves rotate about their own separate axis that is fixed with respect to the base housing of the device. The power ring is provided with radially inward and outward ports in one form that are adapted to communicate with radially inward and outward ports of a static member of the device. The ports are utilized to compress and expand a gas and in one form are utilized for an internal combustion chamber to create an internal combustion rotary motion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: E3P Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan T. Bowley
  • Publication number: 20090133664
    Abstract: This rotary engine configuration combines the four cycles required to produce power, thrust, exhaust, intake, and compression which are merged into a single cycle per revolution. Most engine designs need two revolutions. This requires the mechanical functions to produce power simultaneously; consequently, the parts are performing several functions at the same time. So, only a few parts are needed. The rotor is the big worker. Combustion turns the rotor power cog one way, while the exhaust gases go the opposite way to escape through an opening directly behind the power producing face, into the open air. In this concept, where many power generating functions are going on at the same time, only a few moving parts are needed. Fewer parts used translate into the many benefits described in the claims. An exhaust gas fan reduces the exhaust gas exit pressure further maximizing fuel economy. A kit of energy storing rings is provided. These rings can also provide pitch and roll stabilization forces for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Jackson Reid
  • Patent number: 7493766
    Abstract: An auxiliary electrical power supply includes a fuel combustor passively sourced with fuel for combusting fuel and a thermoelectric generator close-coupled to the combustor for converting the heat from the combustor to electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jihui Yang, Michael F. Matouka, Francis R. Stabler
  • Patent number: 7491046
    Abstract: A rotary combustion engine with at least one working unit, which has essentially a peripheral engine housing, a side housing plate on one side, a side housing plate on the power takeoff side, a triangular piston, and an eccentric shaft. The piston is configured of several parts, which are connected to each other. The connection is accomplished by electron-beam welding under vacuum, which yields excellent results as long as certain conditions are met. The one sidewall and the power takeoff sidewall of the piston are preferably welded to a piston housing, as a result of which the casting molds can be of simpler design and simpler contours can be used, which leads to welds of higher quality and to a decrease in the costs of casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Wankel Super Tec GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Baier, Dankwart Eiermann
  • Publication number: 20090007882
    Abstract: A compound cycle engine system has a rotary engine, which rotary engine generates exhaust gas. The system further has a compressor for increasing the pressure of inlet air to be supplied to the engine to a pressure in the range of from 3.0 to 5.0 atmospheres and an intercooler for providing the inlet air to the engine at a temperature in the range of from 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The system further has one or more turbines for extracting energy from the exhaust gas. The Miller Cycle is implemented in the rotary engine, enabling the compression ratio to be lower than the expansion ratio, allowing the overall cycle to be optimized for lowest weight and specific fuel consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Charles E. Lents, Stephen P. Zeppieri, Roy N. Guile, Vincent C. Nardone, Jonathan Lauter, Arindam Dasgupta
  • Publication number: 20080271701
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a support structure, including a tube and a hollow stator core, supported by and rigidly affixed to the tube. Additionally, a rotor assembly is eccentrically and rotatably mounted about the stator core and having a pair of partial sidewalls, each of which defines a circular opening. A pair of shaft seals, in which each shaft seal is set into one of the circular openings and are rotatably mounted about the tube. The stator core, rotor and shaft seals together define multiple, separate sealed chambers that change volume as the rotor moves. Finally, ignition, intake and exhaust mechanisms are mounted internal to the hollow stator core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: David W. Webb
  • Patent number: 7434563
    Abstract: The rotary engine includes a cylinder body having a cylinder chamber, an intake port, an exhaust port, and a spark plug, and a rotor which is received in the cylinder chamber to eccentrically rotate while coming into contact at seal faces thereof with an inner circumferential contact wall of the cylinder chamber to thereby implement intake, compression, expansion, and exhaust strokes. The rotor has an elliptical outer contour, and the inner circumferential contact wall of the cylinder chamber coincides with a specific curve, which is described by opposite apexes of the elliptical rotor in a direction of a major axis, when the rotor eccentrically rotates. The intake port and exhaust port are provided with opening/closing valves, respectively. Sealing performance between the cylinder chamber and the rotor may achieve an enhancement in the efficiency of fuel combustion and engine output and prevent waste of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Wontech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Heon Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 7415961
    Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engine, compressor or the like, includes a piston ring, a piston skirt having a piston skirt wall. One or more lubricant channels and reservoirs are provided on an outer surface of the piston skirt. Lubricant is conducted to an outer surface of a piston skirt of a piston through the lubricant channels which are communicating an inner surface of the piston skirt with the outer surface thereof. The lubricant is able to be reserved in the lubricant reservoirs provided on the outer surface of the piston skirt to maintain lubrication between the piston skirt and cylinder wall so as to reduce a friction between the cylinder and the piston skirt, reduce loss of power due to friction and heat, improve the output power, reduce the fuel consuming, noise and exhaust, and achieve fuel saving and environment protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventors: Marina Ling Chen, Deheng Wang
  • Patent number: 7398757
    Abstract: A rotary motion device having piston valves that define an open region that are adapted to engage a power tooth of the power ring as the power ring rotates around the piston valves and the piston valves rotate about their own separate axis that is fixed with respect to the base housing of the device. The power ring is provided with radially inward and outward ports in one form that are adapted to communicate with radially inward and outward ports of a static member of the device. The ports are utilized to compress and expand a gas and in one form are utilized for an internal combustion chamber to create an internal combustion rotary motion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventor: Ryan T. Bowley
  • Patent number: 7398756
    Abstract: In a bottom plate for closing a crankcase of an internal combustion engine wherein the bottom plate includes openings and channels for collecting and conducting fluids, the bottom plate consists of a number of individual plates which are joined together after the channels and openings have been cut into the individual plates by laser beam cutting or water beam cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Ruetz
  • Publication number: 20080148886
    Abstract: An engine (1) is disclosed, comprising at least three, and preferably four, pistons (2) and their related cylinders (3); a rotating transmission shaft (7) having a rotation axis B-B and being equipped, at least for a certain section, with at least one cylindrical portion (8) whose rotation axis C-C is slanted with respect to such axis B-B; and at least one transmission member (9) adapted cooperate with the transmission shaft (7) next to the cylindrical portion (8) and to be connected through linkage members with each piston (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Contardo Giovanni, Rubatto Giovanni
  • Patent number: 7389763
    Abstract: A structure of crankcase-integrated cylinder block for a small internal combustion engine is posed to increase strength and rigidity in order to reduce particularly vibration and noise. A cylinder part and a crankcase part are formed into a box-like shape being cast in one piece, a crankcase cover is fixed to the crankcase part to cover an opening on a side in anteroposterior thereof, a crankshaft bearing boss has a crankshaft bearing hole being provided at a central part of a back wall of the crankcase part to protrude to both inner and outer sides of the back wall for supporting an end sides of a crankshaft, wherein an inner peripheral rib is formed along the corner where the back wall of said crankcase part connects to a peripheral wall extending from the periphery of the back wall to heave inward form the corner part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Kochi, Manabu Sekimukai, Yosuke Maruta
  • Publication number: 20080141972
    Abstract: A rotor for use in a rotary internal combustion engine comprises an opening configured to receive an output shaft, a plurality of faces disposed circumferentially around the opening, a recessed pocket disposed in one of the faces, and a flow-modifying member secured to the one face. The flow-modifying member modifies fuel/air flow within the recessed pocket, and controls fuel/air mixing in a combustion chamber adjacent the recessed pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Calvin Q. Morrison, Glenn L. Havskjold
  • Publication number: 20080121207
    Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a rotor which is mounted in such a way that it can be rotated about a central axis in a housing, and in which cylinders are arranged in the same plane, pistons being introduced into said cylinders, the inner end of said pistons being connected to an eccentrically arranged axis in an articulated manner. The cylinders are rotatably mounted in the outer edge of the rotor respectively with the outer ends thereof, and end in the outer envelope of the rotor. At least one combustion chamber is arranged in the housing, the inner end of the chamber ending in the inner housing wall that surrounds the outer envelope of the rotor. The combustion chamber is arranged at an angle of between 45 and 90 degrees, especially between 70 and 85 degrees, to the radius of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Ivaylo Sachariev Pelov
  • Publication number: 20080110699
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for scavenging lubricant is disclosed herein. In the invention, a rotating structure is encircled within a sump housing and subjected to lubrication. The sump housing collects high-momentum lubricant flow and low-momentum lubricant flow. The interior of the sump housing is separated into a plurality of chambers with at least one dynamic seal. The at least one dynamic seal extends between the sump housing and the rotating structure to isolate the high-momentum lubricant flow from the low-momentum lubricant flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 7357115
    Abstract: A wafer clamping apparatus is provided to secure a wafer within a chamber during wafer processing. The wafer clamping apparatus creates a pressure differential between a top surface and a bottom surface of the wafer. The pressure differential serves to pull the wafer toward a wafer support structure in contact with the wafer bottom surface, whereby the wafer is secured and maintained in an immobile state. The wafer clamping apparatus also includes options for controlling the pressure differential between the top and bottom surfaces of the wafer. The wafer clamping apparatus is implemented without requiring contact with the wafer top surface and with minimal increase in chamber design complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: John Parks