Abutment Patents (Class 123/244)
  • Patent number: 11186744
    Abstract: A coating composition includes: (a) 60 to 90 percent by weight of an active hydrogen-containing polyester having a number average molecular weight of at least 23,000, an acid value below 5 and a hydroxyl value below 10, (b) 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of a polyanhydride, and (c) 5 to 30 percent by weight of a curing agent reactive with the active hydrogens associated with (a) and (b), the percentages being based on weight of resin solids of the coating composition, where the reaction product of the coating composition forms a single coating without including a thermoplastic polymer. The coating composition is useful in coating food and beverage containers, particularly 2-piece cans formed by drawing and redrawing (DRD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Huy Lai, Kris M. Kazik, Keri Veres
  • Patent number: 10830047
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine includes outer and inner housings defining an enclosure therebetween, and first and second side housings disposed on opposite sides of the outer housing. The inner housing is rotatable relative to the outer housing, at least one retractable barrier and at least one fixed barrier. The at least one retractable barrier and the at least one fixed barrier are disposed in the enclosure so as to divide the enclosure into a combustion chamber and an exhaust chamber. The at least one retractable barrier is 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. An exhaust duct extends from within the enclosure to outside the outer housing in a direction tangent to flow in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Scott Hudson
  • Patent number: 8753100
    Abstract: A fluid transfer engine employs a case with a cylindrical inner wall having an operating radius extending from a case axis. A main rotor is carried within the case and incorporates a lobe with a major radius equal to and concentric with the operating radius of the case, the main rotor having a minor radius defining a body. Two peripheral rotors are diametrically opposed with respect to the case axis and rotate within rotor chambers extending from the case. Each peripheral rotor has a radius equal to the minor radius and a center of rotation located at twice the minor radius from the case axis. Each of the peripheral rotors rotates in uniform circular motion with the main rotor in sealing contact with the body and incorporates a sculpted recess for receiving the lobe of the main rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Gyroton Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Peitzke, Matthew Brown, James G. P. Dehlsen, Christopher J. Grieco
  • Patent number: 8613270
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Hudson
  • Patent number: 8607762
    Abstract: An inverse displacement asymmetric rotary engine is provided which includes a chamber. The chamber includes a stationary island having an island outer surface. The outer surface is an elongated convex shape. The island includes a crankshaft port spaced from a center of the island. The chamber includes a front-plate attached to a front surface of the island. A concave shaped movable contour is include, which is biased toward the island outer surface and which revolves about the island. A working volume is defined between an inner surface of the contour and the outer island surface. At least one front-plate engaging bearing is provided, which extends from a front surface of the movable contour and over a guide edge of the front-plate. The front-plate engaging bearing engages the guide edge during a combustion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Lumenium LLC
    Inventors: Joseph B. Wooldridge, Michael W. Roach, William R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8485156
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine, includes a housing, a rotating plate assembly and a stationary plate assembly. The rotating plate assembly has a plurality of vanes disposed between an inflow passage and an outflow passage. The stationary plate assembly defines a piston chamber in which is disposed a reciprocating piston. Rotation of a crank shaft rotates the rotating plate assembly and rotation of the rotating plate assembly rotates the crank shaft. Valves are coupled to the crank shaft, such that rotation of the crank shaft opens and closes the valves during the combustion cycle. Each piston is coupled to the crank shaft such that rotation of the crank shaft results in reciprocal movement of the pistons in the piston chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Larry Kathan
  • Patent number: 8297252
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine including a rotor assembly and a shaft, whereby the rotor assembly is mounted upon the shaft. The rotary internal combustion engine also includes a first vane assembly and a second vane assembly. A casing assembly houses the rotor assembly. In addition, a cooling system includes first and second sides. The cooling system houses the casing assembly. Furthermore, a first plate assembly mounts onto the casing assembly and the cooling system at the first side, and a second plate assembly mounts onto the casing assembly and the cooling system at the second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Pedro Julio Landin
  • Patent number: 8286609
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Scott Hudson
  • Patent number: 8215935
    Abstract: A fluid transfer engine employs a case with a cylindrical inner wall having an operating radius extending from a case axis. A main rotor is carried within the case and incorporates a lobe with a major radius equal to and concentric with the operating radius of the case, the main rotor having a minor radius defining a body. Two peripheral rotors are diametrically opposed with respect to the case axis and rotate within rotor chambers extending from the case. Each peripheral rotor has a radius equal to the minor radius and a center of rotation located at twice the minor radius from the case axis. Each of the peripheral rotors rotates in uniform circular motion with the main rotor in sealing contact with the body and incorporates a sculpted recess for receiving the lobe of the main rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Gyroton Corporation
    Inventors: James G. P. Dehlsen, William R. Peitzke, Christopher J. Grieco, Matt Brown
  • Patent number: 8061327
    Abstract: A tangential combustion turbine is disclosed which is based on a casing, a rotor, and moving levers. A radial compressor is attached to the rotor and creates air pressure which pushes air into the combustion chamber based on the position and design of the combustion lever. The combustion chamber is defined by spaces between rotor lobes, and by combustion levers and exhaust levers which follow the rotor surface. A premix fuel system or direct fuel injection is used to create combustion. The exhaust gases then pass through the exhaust lever into the exhaust piping as the rotor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander M. Zink, Alexander S. Zink, Michael M. Zink
  • Publication number: 20110139116
    Abstract: A rotary engine has a rotor that has rockers pivoting in chambers. As each rocker pivots, it rotates an outer crankshaft. Each outer crankshaft has a spur gear that engages a stationary ring gear. Spur gear rotation causes the gears and the outer crankshafts to revolve around the ring gear. This cause the rotor to rotate. As the rotor rotates, successive chambers are positioned at the intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust positions. Igniting the fuel in the ignition position pushes the rocker inward to rotate the outer crankshaft associated with that rocker to cause the rotor to rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Steve Herbruck
  • Publication number: 20110048369
    Abstract: Internal combustion engine has intake with compression in piston/cylinders and combustion and exhaust in a turbine. Turbine assembly includes a rotor connected to an output shaft and has variable blades pivotally mounted to rotor. The output shaft is connected to a crankshaft that is connects to the pistons to synchronizes intake and compression with combustion and exhaust. While the rotor spins centrifugal force causes the blades to swivel outwardly. The blades swivel inboard of the rotor as the space between them and the turbine housing cam contour gradually decreases. After partial compression, air enters the turbine assembly's combustion and exhaust chamber. Once full compression is attained, combustion takes place initiating a power cycle causing the turbine to rotate. When the power cycle is completed, the inner cam contour forces the blades inboard and exhaust is cleared by the subsequent variable blade, facilitating the next combustion and exhaust cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Samuel Lee Samuels
  • Publication number: 20100313844
    Abstract: A rotary piston internal combustion engine of the Wankel type has a housing (1) with a two lobed epitrochoidal inner peripheral surface (14) a shaft (8) journalled in end casings (3, 4), a rotor (9) eccentrically mounted on the shaft (8) and geared to rotate at one third speed of the shaft (8) whereby working chambers (34, 35, 36) are formed between flanks of the rotor (9) and the end casings (3, 4), which chambers vary in volume as the rotor (9) rotates, the rotor (9) being cooled by a cooling medium in a generally closed cooling circuit, the medium being circulated by a circulating pump (27), via connecting passageways (20, 18) in the end casings (3, 4) and an internal passageway (21) of the rotor (9), and through an external cooling heat exchanger (24), the cooling medium being blow-by gasses from the high pressure working chambers, which gasses have leaked past the rotor side seals (26) into the rotor cooling passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: David W. Garside
  • Publication number: 20100307449
    Abstract: A steam engine or an internal combustion engine, and more particularly with a rotary geometry, is provided with the engine having multiple combustion chambers delimited by piston heads and an engine housing that defines at least a section of a torus. The engine exhibits improved performance and reduced weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Heinz-Gustav A. Reisser
  • Patent number: 7845332
    Abstract: A rotary engine includes an outer shell having a plurality of working spaces each receiving a power-generating unit. A rotor is rotatable within the outer shell, and includes a rotor body and a plurality of vanes. When the rotor rotates one revolution in the outer shell, each of the vanes drives each of the power-generating units to complete a working cycle including four strokes of intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. In each combustion stroke, compressed gas is injected on the corresponding vane to rotate the rotor about the central axis of an output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventor: Sern-Bean Wang
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7757658
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine using vanes to create separate combustion chambers within the engine and capable of performing all four strokes of the Otto cycle (intake, compression, combustion and exhaust) in each separate combustion chamber. Each Otto cycle is completed in a 180-degree rotation with all four strokes of the Otto cycle being completed in 720 degrees. An intake and exhaust valve system tightly controls the flow of the air/fuel mixture into each separate combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Sumiyuki Nagata, Ryan William Cobb
  • Publication number: 20100083932
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine, includes a housing, a rotating plate assembly and a stationary plate assembly. The rotating plate assembly has a plurality of vanes disposed between an inflow passage and an outflow passage. The stationary plate assembly defines a piston chamber in which is disposed a reciprocating piston. Rotation of a crank shaft rotates the rotating plate assembly and rotation of the rotating plate assembly rotates the crank shaft. Valves are coupled to the crank shaft, such that rotation of the crank shaft opens and closes the valves during the combustion cycle. Each piston is coupled to the crank shaft such that rotation of the crank shaft results in reciprocal movement of the pistons in the piston chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Larry Kathan
  • Publication number: 20100018495
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotary engine includes a rotary disc (1) used as a cylinder block; a cylinder head (2) on which medium inlets (22) and medium outlets (21,23) are arranged in a spaced relation; wherein at least two arched cylinders (11) are disposed on the rotary disc in an equally spaced-apart relation, such that the arched cylinders (11) are respectively positioned to correspond to positions where the medium inlets (22) and the medium outlets (21, 23) are; a gyroscopic unit (3) is disposed obliquely on the rotary disc relative to an axis of the rotary disc, the gyroscopic unit comprising a rotation shaft (31) and pistons (32) positioned symmetrically about the rotation shaft (31) and having the number corresponding to the number of the arched cylinders (11), the pistons (32) being disposed in the respective arched cylinders (11) and firmly secured to the rotation shaft (31) by respective connecting rods (33); and the rotary disc (1) is rotatably engaged with the cylinder head (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Yau Cheung Kwok
  • Publication number: 20100012078
    Abstract: The engine according to the invention comprises: a) a casing (12) inside which an annular cavity is formed; b) an annular rotor (14), housed within the annular cavity; c) multiple mobile chamber elements (10), secured to the rotor (14). The annular cavity has, in some regions, cross-sectional sizes substantially greater than the cross-sectional sizes of the rotor (14) so as to define multiple hollow chambers relative to the annular body of the rotor (14) while contacting the walls of the same annular cavity and separating in fluid-tight manner the hollow chamber portion in front of the mobile chamber element (10) from the hollow chamber portion be hind the mobile chamber element (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Aldo Cerruti, Romano Murri, Marzia Murri
  • Publication number: 20090188466
    Abstract: A Hybrid Piston/Rotary engine having an elliptical housing comprising a circumscribed cam portion to provide thrust, and sides having bearing supports for rotation of a rotor with at least one cylinder attaching shaft having apertures therein, providing rotary valves combined with intake and exhaust ports within the bearing supports. Each cylinder has two opposed pistons connecting cam followers pivoted to the rotor which reciprocate upon rotation. During the intake stroke the pistons separate as intake valve opens, fuel mixture fills the cylinder and closes, the pistons compress the mixture. The rotor ports are aligned with the spark plugs within the bearing supports. Ignited gasses force the pistons apart causing the cam followers to push against the cam housing providing thrust to the rotor. The exhaust valve is opened as the pistons contract. Four strokes are completed each rotation. The mechanisms valves can be configured as a pump or a motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: William Scott Wiens
  • Patent number: 7493885
    Abstract: An asymmetric complete-expansion thermodynamic engine cycle is provided by an engine which compresses an air/fuel mixture to a given ratio, ignites and combusts the mixture, and expands the products through a power stroke to a volume substantially larger than the compression volume before being vented and purged to the atmosphere. This cycle is performed by a non-axisymmetric main rotor revolving within a cylindrical housing. Sealing means associated with the main rotor provide for the varied compression and expansion volumes. The cylindrical housing also contains means for air intake, fuel injection, venting, and spent gas exhaust porting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Gyroton Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Peitzke, James G. P. Dehlsen, Geoffrey F. Deane
  • Patent number: 6988482
    Abstract: An engine including a housing formed with a pair of side-by-side intersecting substantially cylindrical cavities, and a pair of counter-rotating power rotors rotatably mounted within the cavities. The pair of power rotors include intermeshing lobes that each define open ended combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Neal Lockett
  • Patent number: 6955153
    Abstract: A thermodynamic cycle for an internal combustion rotary engine is disclosed which achieves high efficiency through an asymmetry between the volume of air charge before compression and the volume of expanded air at the completion of expansion. The expanded volume is ideally selected such that the pressure of the exhaust gases is near the ambient pressure of the intake air. Three embodiments of engines which utilize the cycle are disclosed, one with the major components operating in uniform circular motion, one which utilizes lobe valves, and one which utilizes three sets of lobe valves such that three charges of air at various stages in the cycle are in the engine, thus increasing the power density of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Gyroton Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Peitzke, James G. P. Dehlsen, Geoffrey F. Deane
  • Publication number: 20040244765
    Abstract: A computer controlled rotary piston engine includes a blower housing containing a rotatable impeller assembly, for pushing ambient air into the housing, and forcing the air to pass through a normally open valve mechanism into a combustion chamber. A plurality of fuel injectors are selectively operable for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, followed by selective operation of at least one spark plug for igniting the fuel/air mixture, thereby causing the valve mechanism to close, and the combustion gases to pass through a plurality of spaced apart intake manifolds into always open intake ports of a piston chamber for rotating a vaned or bladed rotary piston therein, followed by spent combustion gases being forced out of a plurality of spaced always open exhaust ports into an exhaust manifold. The distance the piston travels during a power cycle is adjustable, and inversely proportional to the frequency of combustion or number of combustion cycles within a given period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Brent Warren Elmer
  • Patent number: 6758188
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine generating continuous torque throughout an entire combustion cycle by an inverse displacement of a moving chamber and stationary convex surface is described. A rotary engine having one or more of asymmetric chambers, asymmetric crank shaft placement, and a mechanical crank arm of varying length is disclosed. An engine having greater horsepower output per unit of engine displacement than traditional piston or rotary engines is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Joseph B. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 6615793
    Abstract: A revolving cylinder engine having a stationary fixed housing with circumferential intake and exhaust ports and an ignition means, a concentrically positioned revolving cylinder block bored centrally and radially with said radial bore defining a piston compression chamber, and a crank bearing disc concentrically positioned within said central bore of said cylinder block that revolves within said cylinder block wherein the rotation of said crank bearing disc provides for the reciprocating action of the piston traveling through said compression chamber. A planetary gearset is the preferable means for rotating said cylinder block and said crank bearing disc for achieving the timing requirements necessary for precise port alignment in concert with the movement and position of said piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Victor J Usack
  • Patent number: 6530357
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to rotary internal combustion engines and essentially relates to an engine including a body that comprises an inner cylindrical cavity as well as side covers. The cavity comprises a rotor-piston which is concentrically mounted therein, which comprises side surfaces, radial protrusions and radial recesses on its peripheral surface, and which forms together with the body a plurality of segmented cavities. The side surfaces of the rotor-piston abut tightly with the side covers, while the radial protrusions at the peripheral surface of the rotor-piston abut tightly with the inner cylindrical surface of the body cavity. The combustion chamber is located beyond the limits of the inner cylindrical cavity and communicates with the latter through inlet and outlet channels provided with controlled slide valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventor: Viktor Prokoflevich Yaroshenko
  • Patent number: 6431139
    Abstract: An oscillating-piston engine, comprising a housing, in which several pistons configured as two-armed levers are arranged pivotably, respectively, around a pivot axis being parallel to a central housing axis and moving commonly in a revolution direction. The pistons comprise running surfaces on a side facing away from said housing inner wall, which are guided alongside at least one control cam, when the pistons revolve in the housing, of a centrally housing-fixed cam piece, in order to control pivot movements of the pistons in the revolution. The control cam is configured as an inner contour on the cam piece, alongside of which the pistons are guided supported to a side of a centrifugal force via the running surfaces, The cam piece comprises another inner contour configured as a control cam alongside of which the pistons are guided supported to a direction of the central housing axis via the running surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Herbert Hüttlin
  • Patent number: 6244240
    Abstract: A rotary vane pumping machine includes a stator and rotor in relative rotation. The rotor has a plurality of radial vanes slots and each one of a corresponding plurality of vanes slides within a radial vane slot of the rotor. Each pair of adjacent vanes defines a vane cell. A rotary scavenging disk is disposed along the stator circumference, and is sized such that the rotary scavenging disk extends into the vane cell. An outer circumferential edge of the rotary scavenging disk is in sealing proximity with an outer circumferential edge of the rotor and recesses within the rotary scavenging disk mesh and seal with the extending and retracting vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Mallen Research Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Brian D. Mallen
  • Patent number: 5794583
    Abstract: A side pressure type rotary engine of a simple construction is formed by a cylinder having a suction port and an exhaust port in predetermined portions thereof, a main shaft passed through the cylinder, a rotor provided at both sides of flat surface portions thereof with a pair of working chamber-forming recesses and adapted to be rotated unitarily with the main shaft, a fixed blocking element, an active block, a suction and exhaust blocking element and an expansion blocking element which are movable in the axial direction of the main shaft, and a cylindrical cam and rocker arms which constitute a driving mechanism for moving the active block, suction and exhaust blocking element and expansion blocking element. The rotor is rotated to move the active block, suction and exhaust blocking element and expansion blocking element at predetermined timings and strokes, whereby suction, compression, expansion and exhaust strokes are carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Masahiro Ichieda
    Inventor: Masao Ichieda
  • Patent number: 5787856
    Abstract: A rotary engine has a rotor shaft, a power rotor carried by and rotating conjointly with the rotor shaft, a pair of stators disposed radially outwardly of the power rotor, an annular cam ring, disposed radially outwardly of the stators, connected to and rotating conjointly with the rotor shaft, and at least one cavity formed in the power rotor that enters into fluid communication, sequentially, with an intake port, a combustion port, and an exhaust port as the engine rotates. Oscillating members that are pivotally mounted to an engine housing close the ports under the influence of cam lobes formed on the cam ring and the ports are opened by the shape of the cavity or cavities driving the oscillating members radially outwardly as the engine rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Galen M. Dunton
  • Patent number: 5423298
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine including a plurality of variable compression ratio rotating combustion chambers or alternatively stationary combustion chambers, a multi-piston movable assembly or alternatively a multi-sector movable assembly, a multi-sector stationary assembly or alternatively multi-piston stationary assembly with means for effecting ignition or alternatively for injecting fuel into the combustion chambers. The combustion chambers are formed by the multi-sector stationary assembly and the multi-piston movable assembly such that each of the pistons is located radially of the engine's pre-definable center axis. The stationary assembly, the movable assembly and the pistons of the movable assembly are cooperatively associated one with another so that the movable assembly is capable of being made to undergo rotating motion about the engine's center axis in a circular path about the stationary assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Nikolaos S. Pahis
  • Patent number: 5372107
    Abstract: A rotary engine having an oval rotor (12) centrally mounted in a cylindrical chamber (11). Cylindrical chamber (11) is partitioned into a number of combustion chambers (40-47) by sliding vanes (48-53B). Rotor (12) is mounted to a partially hollow shaft (21) the shaft (21) extending through respective sidewalls of the cylindrical chamber (11). Rotor (12) is provided with internal passageways to allow exhaust to flow from a combustion chamber (40-47) through an internal passageway and out through the partially hollow shaft (21) and to allow incoming air to flow into a hollow portion (19) within rotor (12) and through a suitable passageway to a port located on the outer periphery of the rotor (12). In this manner, air and exhaust gases can be passed into and from a combustion chamber (40-47) by means of ports in the rotor (12) and the engine does not require external valves. Shaft (21) has a solid end which can be used as an output shaft to drive a fly wheel or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Richard C. Smythe
  • Patent number: 4747764
    Abstract: The invention is fluid pump which in addition to displacing fluid can be a fluid driven motor and when the fluid is compressible a compressor or expanding fluid driven motor. The pump has an annular cavity formed between its rotor and casing and around the rotor rotational axis. There is a power transfer means such as a shaft which drives the rotor in rotation when the pump is used to displace or also to compress a fluid. When the pump is used also as a motor the fluid being displaced is also the power transfer means and the rotor shaft is used for mechanical power take-off. The rotor surface at the annular cavity, the wave surface, has at least one undulation and each wave surface undulation forms with the other cavity surfaces a cavity undulation. A casing surface at the annular cavity, the face surface, has a plurality of circumferential spaced axial plane slots each with a partition pivotally extending into the annular cavity but not abutting the annular cavity walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Inventor: Joseph F. Frasca
  • Patent number: 4653446
    Abstract: The invention is an internal combustion engine for two or four cycle mechanical power generation. The engine has an annular cavity formed between its rotor and casing and around the rotor rotational axis. The rotor surface at the annular cavity has undulation(s) and the casing surface at the annular cavity has a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial plane slots each with a partition pivotally extending into the annular cavity but not abutting the annular cavity walls and in the combustion region therein and when there is a compression region to very close proximity of the cavity walls. The partitions in the annular cavity form a plurality of circumferential spaced volume varying chambers which cyclically vary in volume with rotor rotation. The partitions are displaced in their slots by a rotor cam means outside the annular cavity with undulations allowing the continued extension of the partitions to the rotor undulant surface in the annular cavity without abutting it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Inventor: Joseph F. Frasca
  • Patent number: 4446829
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine has a block assembly and a rotor journalled for coaxial rotation within a cylindrical chamber in the block assembly. Angularly spaced lobes on the rotor separate angularly spaced pockets which are defined by the rotor. The pockets cooperate with the chamber to define compression and combustion chambers as the rotor rotates within the chamber. Angularly spaced apart seal assemblies pivotally supported in recesses in the block assembly are biased into sealing engagement with the rotor. Each seal assembly includes inner and outer seal members. Each inner seal member is pivotally movable relative to its associated outer seal member and is movable into and out of a channel which is formed in the rotor and which partially defines the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Inventor: Zema O. Yeager
  • Patent number: 4239027
    Abstract: A dual rotor type rotary engine with primary and secondary rotor compartments around each rotor is described. The engine operates by activating in sequence an ignition means in the presence of a fuel and air mixture in primary and secondary compartments around one rotor and in primary and secondary rotor compartments around the other rotor. The engine is provided with a central housing between the rotors having a confined space for receiving hot exhaust gases from primary rotor compartments, for mixing with air introduced into the confined space and for conveying the mixture to secondary rotor compartments. The fuel, air and hot exhaust gas mixture in the secondary rotor compartments operates on a reduced amount of fuel by comparison to the fuel and air mixture in the primary compartments. The central housing preferably has air inlets on either side of the confined space to heat inlet air supplied to the primary rotor compartments by heat transfer from the hot surfaces and exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Joachim E. Lay
  • Patent number: 4178900
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a generally cylindrical stator member having two pairs of sockets located in the interior peripheral wall thereof, and a rotor member mounted to rotate within the stator member. Two pairs of opposing wedges are pivotally mounted at their vertices on the interior peripheral wall of the stator member to pivot in and out of respective ones of the sockets as the rotor member is caused to rotate within the stator member. The rotor member has an outermost periphery which, in cooperation with the peripheral wall of the stator member and the two pairs of pivotal wedges, define at selected paint in time and for brief a combustion cavity and a compression cavity therebetween. The instantaneous combustion cavity and compression cavity are disposed on opposite sides of the stator member adjacent the peripheral wall thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventor: Dallas J. Larson
  • Patent number: 4089305
    Abstract: Rotary engine construction wherein a lobed rotor cooperates with unique retractable separators to divide the bore into work chambers, the rotor lobes or pistons performing the intake, compression, power and exhaust functions rapidly, efficiently and smoothly, and wherein the simplicity of construction allows the number of firings per rotor revolution, their sequence and the compression ratio to be readily selected for a particular end use. The engine further embodies novel intake and exhaust valves and actuating structure therefor, work chamber inactivation mechanism, and positive oil pumping means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Inventor: Oscar P. Gregg
  • Patent number: 4080935
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine of the rotary type comprises a housing or block provided with a cavity which is cylindrical in one portion and enlarged in another; the side walls of the cavity are flat. A drive shaft is rotatably mounted in the housing for rotation about the axis of the cylindrical portion of the cavity and a cylindrical rotor is mounted in fixed relationship eccentrically on the shaft. The throw of the eccentric is somewhat less than the radius of the cylindrical portion so that the eccentric acts as an impeller driving air around the cylindrical portion of the cavity with some blow-by of air and no metal to metal contact. A pair of fluid barriers or partitions are pivoted at their outer ends on the wall of the cavity and have their opposite ends biased against the rotor in sealing engagement. The partitions thus divide the cavity into a combustion chamber and an air pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Leonard Olson