Radial Patents (Class 123/44R)
  • Patent number: 6016737
    Abstract: The present invention is for a means for transmission of force whereby linear movement is transferred into rotating movement or reverse. The invention is primarily intended to be used by combustion engines. The invention is for a means to transmit force between a forward and backward movement and a rotating movement by means of a ballbearing which runs in several tracks comprising a ball which is surrounded by ballholder which is fixed onto a piston rod for each respective ball or corresponding device for transmission of the linear movement. Fixed connected to each piston (4,5) is a piston rod (6,7) which in its opposite end has a holding device (17,18) for the ball (15,16) through which the force from the forward and backward movement is transmitted to the rotating disc (13). The balls (15,16) also serve as bearing between the stationary disc (8) and the rotating disc (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Gul & Co Development AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Leijonberg
  • Patent number: 5954017
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an engine, including: a housing having a cylindrical inner surface; a first circular block rotatably disposed within the housing and coaxial therewith, the first circular block having its outer surface circumjacent the inner surface; at least one first cylinder radially defined in the first circular block, the at least one first cylinder having its upper, open end disposed at the outer surface; at least one piston disposed in the at least one first cylinder for reciprocating motion therein; at least two inlet chambers defined in the housing and connected to a source of inlet gas to introduce inlet gas into the at least one first cylinder as the open end passes one of the at least two inlet chambers; at least two outlet chambers defined in the housing to permit outlet gas to exit the at least one first cylinder as the open end passes one of the at least two inlet chambers; and means to cause the first circular block to rotate as a result of a power stroke of the at least one piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: John S. Federowicz
  • Patent number: 5875744
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-sealing valve and cylinder configuration, an internal combustion rotary engine, or pump or compressor, with a rotating central housing which includes at least one cylinder aperture, a non-rotating timing pulley mount concentrically positioned within the central housing, a crank shaft eccentrically mounted within the central housing, a valve housing attached to the central housing and which retains a cylinder between it and the central housing, a piston within each cylinder, the piston rod is eccentrically mounted to the crank shaft, and a rotating valve within each valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Tony Vallejos
  • Patent number: 5758609
    Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine with multiple cylinders and rotary crankcase supported on a pair of engine stub shafts. The connecting rods are each connected to a different center arranged evenly around the drive center of a stepdrive element. The stepdrive element which is polygonal or circular is offset from the rotational axis of the crankcase within which it revolves. The stepdrive element drives the crankcase through a series of links. As each piston fires the connecting rod is inclined to the piston travel axis and the angle between the connecting rod and the stepdrive element center is close to 90 degrees. As the piston moves through its power stroke the cylinder rotates with the crankcase maintaining the mechanically advantageous 90 degree angle for about 100 degrees of crankcase rotation. Symmetric and asymmetric cylinder layouts, Diesel and 2-stroke layouts are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Continuous Cycle Engine Development Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Roger J. Smith
  • Patent number: 5343832
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine wherein the cylinders making up the engine block are radially disposed in a common plane and rotate with the output shaft. The engine block rotates within a surrounding cam surface and the pistons in each cylinder move radially in and out in a motion geometrically defined by connecting rods, a rocker arm pivoted at a point fixed with respect to the rotating engine block and a cam follower which rides on the cam surface. The rocker arm preferably is counterbalanced to reduce centrifugal forces on the cam surface. The cam surface is contoured to produce the motion to the pistons by means of the linkage as the engine block rotates. The engine block includes a rotary valve port associated with each cylinder. The engine block rotates into cooperating relationship with stationary inlet and exhaust ports in the engine housing to provide intake and exhaust cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Murray United Development Corporation
    Inventor: Jerome L. Murray
  • Patent number: 4836149
    Abstract: A rotating cylinder block piston-cylinder engine has a stator, a hollow rotor housing rotatably mounted on the stator means for rotation around a rotor housing axis of rotation, a plurality of cylinders radially positioned in the peripheral wall of the hollow rotor housing, a piston slidable in each of the cylinders and having a piston rod rigidly mounted thereon and extending radially of the rotor into the hollow rotor housing, a fuel supply connected to the cylinders and the pistons for supplying gaseous fuel into the cylinders which is caused to expand for driving pistons radially inwardly in the cylinders and for exhausting the exhaust gas from the cylinders, a rotatable reaction member in the hollow rotor housing and rotatably mounted on the stator for rotation around a fixed axis offset from the rotor housing axis of rotation and having radially spaced peripherally extending rolling engagement surface around the periphery thereof, and a differential rolling engagement device on the inner ends of each of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Future Power Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon D. Newbold
  • Patent number: 4625683
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine having a plurality of radially aligned cylinders collectively supported for common rotation about a shaft member having one portion with a first axis, with a piston block including a piston for each of the cylinders slidable within each cylinder and supported for rotation about the shaft member having another portion with a second axis which is displaced from and parallel to the first axis, the cylinders being linked with the piston block to rotate the cylinders about the first axis with the pistons and the piston block while moving the cylinders transversely of the first axis for rotation of the cylinders and pistons together thereby producing relative reciprocal motion of each piston with respect to its cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Inventor: Roberto L. Bonfilio
  • Patent number: 4612882
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine having a plurality of radially aligned cylinders collectively supported for common rotation about a first axis, with a piston block including a piston for each of the cylinders slidable within each cylinder and supported for rotation about a second axis which is displaced from and parallel to the first axis, the cylinders being linked with the piston block and move transversely of the first axis thereby producing relative reciprocal motion of each piston with respect to its cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Roberto L. Bonfilio
  • Patent number: 4531481
    Abstract: A rotary 2-cycle diesel engine has five circumferentially spaced cylindrical combustion chambers orbiting in one direction for engagement with four spherical pistons mounted for parallel orbit in the opposite direction. The pistons and combustion chambers interact through a 72.degree. arc of the combustion chamber while aspiration, exhaust and cooling are effected by centrifugal movement of the air during the remaining 288.degree. arc. The connecting rods of the pistons are provided with a double bend and are geared for rotation to provide a longer piston stroke. A cam wheel and follower arrangement control the necessary piston orbiting speed fluctuation in relation to the combustion chambers' angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignees: James E. Casebolt, Jr., Barion Casebolt
    Inventor: Nolan F. Haynes
  • Patent number: 4530316
    Abstract: There is provided the combination of a stationary frame, a stationary sun gear on the frame, and a rotary frame pivoted about the axis of the sun gear. The rotary frame carries three crankshafts at substantially 120.degree. intervals, and for each crankshaft there is provided a cylinder in the rotary frame, and a piston mounted for reciprocation in each cylinder. Each crankshaft is fixed to rotate with a respective planetary gear and all planetary gears mesh with the sun gear and have the same pitch diameter as the sun gear. Thus, any point on the pitch circle of a planetary gear describes a cardioid as the planetary gear rotates around the sun gear once. The crankshaft eccentricity is about one-third of the pitch radius of a planetary gear, and each piston has a connecting link to its respective crankshaft. Fuel metering means, such as a carburetor, are provided for delivering a combustible mixture to the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Morrison Motor Company
    Inventor: Ronald D. Morrison
  • Patent number: 4291651
    Abstract: A pump supplies pressurized lubricant to an internal combustion engine from an external reservoir through a closed loop system. Delivery channels extending through the crankshaft, connecting rod and other components, supply the pressurized lubricant to the several areas of relative movement. Return channels, extending through the components, conduct lubricant from the several areas to the reservoir. Fuel-air mixture from a carburetor enters the crankcase through the open end of the crankshaft and moves through ports within the several cylinders to the respective combustion chambers. Selected ports are sequentially closed by a valve plate carried by the crankshaft. Incomplete products of combustion are exhausted into an auxiliary exhaust outlet for recycling with the fuel-air mixture. Retainer members engaging the spark plugs assist in dissipating heat therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Inventor: Tony R. Villella
  • Patent number: 4263880
    Abstract: A rotary engine, especially a rotary diesel engine, utilizing a pair of substantially identical cooperating rotor assemblies associated with a pair of spaced, parallel stationary intake-exhaust gas ports. Each rotor assembly includes a hub portion immediately surrounding a stationary shaft, a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the hub portion, a radially extending cylinder formed in each of the arms, a radially extending passageway leading from the stationary shaft to each cylinder, and a radially reciprocal piston disposed in each cylinder. The stationary shafts are so spaced and the rotor assembly so mounted that upon rotation of the rotor assemblies each piston associated with each rotor assembly will engage the hub of the other assembly upon completion of the compression stroke of the piston, and then will engage an arm of the other assembly to impart a rotational force to the arm upon radial movement of the piston during a power stroke, the rotor assemblies rotating in opposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Keeton
  • Patent number: 4154199
    Abstract: A reciprocating and rotary internal combustion engine has a housing provided with an intake port and an exhaust port, a rotary member adapted to continuously rotate within the housing and provided with a plurality of cylindrical holes or bores in which a piston slides. A crank shaft and respective piston are connected to each other through an eccentric ring which is rotatably mounted in the piston. A set of eccentric rings are rotatably mounted on an eccentric portion of the crank shaft. Thus, a piston reciprocally moves in the individual cylindrical bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Inventor: Yasuo Ueno
  • Patent number: 4106443
    Abstract: A rotary internal combustion engine is described and shown having two piston and cylinder assemblies rotating about a single axis. The pistons reciprocate in rotating cylinders having a four cycle internal combustion engine process to receive air and fuel, to compress the air and fuel, to combust the mixture and to exhaust the gases therefrom. The pistons move in a set relation to each other, being connected by a common rod. The center of rotation of the pistons is dynamic relative to the center of rotation of the cylinders and cylinder blocks. Intake and exhaust valves are positioned about the periphery of the rotor assembly, and have staggered opening and closing schedules in order that air and fuel may be admitted and gases scavenged in accordance with the four cycle internal combustion engine principle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Inventor: Joseph P. Triulzi
  • Patent number: 4073216
    Abstract: Valve control apparatus adapted for use in a rotary engine or pump having a cylinder block rotatable about an axis and including a plurality of cylinders and corresponding pistons radially arranged about the axis, a plurality of valves each disposed in a different one of the cylinders, and a plurality of tappet mechanisms each of which when actuated operates to alternately open and close a different one of the valves. The valve control apparatus includes a cam ring having first and second generally circular cam tracks defined therein for contacting and actuating certain ones of the tappet mechanisms. The cam tracks are disposed in substantially parallel planes and each includes a pair of lobes positioned diametrically opposite in the cam ring. The cam ring is adapted to rotate about the axis in the same direction as the cylinder block but at a speed different therefrom to provide for coaction between the cam tracks and the various tappet mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1978
    Assignee: Energy Research
    Inventor: Gilbert E. Davis
  • Patent number: 4062330
    Abstract: An intake/exhaust system adapted for use in rotary engines having a rotatable cylinder block with a plurality of cylinders radially arranged in the block. A plurality of passages are defined in the cylinder block to extend between the cylinders and a plurality of cylinder ports for enabling communication with the cylinders. The cylinder ports are arranged to travel in a circular path as the cylinder block is rotated. Also included are a plurality of poppet valves, each positioned in a different one of the passages to allow or inhibit communication between each of the cylinder ports and the corresponding cylinder. Manifold apparatus includes an intake port and an exhaust port spaced apart and positioned adjacent to the path traversed by the cylinder ports such that the intake port and exhaust port are each aligned with successive ones of the cylinder ports as the cylinder unit is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1977
    Assignee: Billings Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Roger Evan Billings
  • Patent number: 4040398
    Abstract: Apparatus for four-cycle rotary engine operation includes a cylinder block rotatable about a first axis and having six cylinders uniformly spaced and radially arranged about the axis, a set of six pistons rotatable about a second axis which is offset from and parallel with the first mentioned axis, each piston being disposed to move in a different one of the cylinders, and a valve system for introducing fuel charges into and exhausting combustion products from the cylinders. A crankshaft extends within the cylinder block and is coupled to the pistons to rotate as the cylinder block rotates and as the pistons move in their respective cylinders. The fuel charges are successively fired in alternate pairs of adjacent cylinders to cause the cylinder unit and crankshaft to rotate in a smooth and efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Engine Research
    Inventors: Roger Evan Billings, Franklin Earl Lynch
  • Patent number: 4030471
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine having rotor and stator members and wherein each piston is driven through periodic power strokes in a cylinder in one member by combustion in the cylinder and is pivotally connected to a circular cam ring which surrounds the cylinder endwise and is rotatable about its center on the other member in eccentric relation to the rotation axis of the rotor member in a manner such that the combustion powered strokes of the piston drive the rotor member in rotation. The particular engine described is an opposed piston engine wherein each engine cylinder is on the stator and contains two opposed pistons connected to the rotor by two eccentric cam rings surrounding the cylinder with their axes located at opposite sides of the rotor axis. Air is supplied to the cylinder through an intake port controlled by one piston and combustion products are exhausted from the cylinder through an exhaust port controlled by the other piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Frank Ginkel
  • Patent number: 4003351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a short stroke, rapid fire, continuous power rotary engine which can be affixed to the body of a vehicle or other stationary position, depending upon its intended use. The engine includes a housing within which is a rotating block which houses the pistons and at least one cylinder. A central power shaft having first and second sections mounted within the housing is connected to the rotating block. Upon ignition, the expanding gases urge the pistons radially outwardly from the axis of the central power shaft. Further provided are piston rods and means for transmitting the radially outward movement of the pistons to the rotating block, thereby imparting a rotational moment thereto. The engine also includes a fuel intake system and novel ignition and exhaust systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Inventor: William E. Gunther
  • Patent number: 3968777
    Abstract: A cylinder has a head and a bottom. A piston is reciprocable in the cylinder and defines a power chamber with said head and an air compression chamber with said bottom. Controlled intake and exhaust ports are formed in said cylinder and adapted to communicate with said power chamber. Igniting means are operable to initiate a combustion of a fuel-air mixture in the power chamber. An inlet is formed in the cylinder and adapted to communicate with said compression chamber. A valve controls said inlet. The piston is adapted to perform in response to the combustion a power stroke toward a dead center near the bottom, whereby air is compressed in the compression chamber. Transfer means are provided to transfer compression air from said compression chamber to said exhaust port after said power stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1976
    Assignee: Motoren Forschungs GmbH & Co. KG Franken Motoren
    Inventor: Walter Franke
  • Patent number: 3931809
    Abstract: The claimed improved drive means for a rotary internal combustion engine includes means for connecting the piston drive rod to the output drive shaft of the engine which defines a moment arm of variable length for rotating the output drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1973
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Inventors: Francisco Barcelloni Corte, Pablo Bianco