WO1982001035A1

WO1982001035A1 - Internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: WO1982001035A1
Application number: PCT/AU1981/000128
Authority: WO
Inventors: D Palezevic
Original assignee: D Palezevic
Priority date: 1980-09-12
Filing date: 1981-09-14
Publication date: 1982-04-01
Also published as: EP0060278A1

Abstract

An internal combustion engine has a stationary housing (2) with a pair of axially spaced ring gears (2b) formed on an inner cylindrical peripheral wall (2a), a rotary cylinder block (3b) having a plurality of radially and symmetrically disposed cylinders (3a) meeting at the axis of rotation of the cylinder block (3b) and together forming a common combustion chamber, a piston (4) in each cylinder (3a) connected to a crank (5) through a connecting rod (4a), each rank (5) driving a pair of gears (6) meshing with the ring gears (2b). Ignition by spark plug (7) of a combustible mixture admitted to the combustion chamber through a valve (12) causes pistons (4) to move outwardly driving the gears (6) around the ring gears (2b) thereby causing rotation of the cylinder block (3b) and shaft (3) with respect to the stationary housing (2).

Description

INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to internal combustion engines particularly those of the type called two strokes. Two stroke engines are well known and it is also well known that they are inefficient, as significant quantities of unburnt fuel are expelled through the exchange port as the compression stroke commences. This comment applies, of course, to the standard open port two stroke engine.

It is the object of this specification to describe an internal combustion engine construction which is more efficient than those engines in standard use and also those having a number of other advantages. Principally for the sake of brevity a two stroke engine construction is provided.

SUMMARY Broadly this invention provides an internal combustion engine, comprising a housing having a cylindrical peripheral portion with an internal ring gear thereon, cylinder block member disposed in said housing and mounted so as to be rotatable therein about the axis of said portion, said cylinder block member including an output shaft extending laterally to one side thereof on said axis, a plurality of cylinders in said cylinder block member radially extending and meeting centrally of said housing to form a common combustion chamber, said cylinder being symmetrically disposed in a plane about the said axis whereby to provide for dynamic balance of the engine in use, spark ignition means for said combustion chamber, and piston in said cylinders each respectively connected to drive a crank in turn driving a gear mating with said ring gear, whereby in use to rotate said cylinder block member and said shaft with respect to said housing; exhaust port means for each cylinder and, for example, poppet valve provides inlet port means for combustible mixture or air for diesel to said common chamber.

It will be appreciated that the engine can be fuelled by gas, petrol or petrol/alcohol mixtures, alcohol or diesel fuel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention can be gained by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an external view of the engine of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the engine of Figure 1 in the direction of arrow "A" ;

Figure 3 is a cross-section of the engine looking in the same direction as the view illustrated by Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a cross-section of the engine corresponding to the view shown in Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The engine, illustrated generally by 1 is enclosed by housing 2 having a peripheral cylindrical portion 2a with a pair of laterally spaced internal ring gears 2b; bolts 2c fasten the peripheral portion 2a to the side portions of the housing. The engine includes an output shaft 3 integral with cylinder block portion 3b in which the combustion cylinders 3a are formed. Domed pistons 4 move radially of shaft 3 integral with cylinder block portion 3b in which the combustion cylinders 3a are formed. Domed pistons 4 move radially of shaft 3 in the portion 3b. There are a plurality of cylinders 3a equiangularly spaced to provide dynamic balance, as whole portion 3/3a/3b, together with pistons 4, rotates in the housing 2, being supported by bearings 11. Connecting rods 4a mounted to crank shaft arrangements 5 which drive gears 6 engaging ring gearing 2b, whereby to rotate combination 3/3a/3b. There is only one combustion chamber which comprises all cylinders and this is fired by plug 7 connected to wiring 8 (on diesel will be fuel injected) and slip ring 9, which is mounted in a neoprene ring or the like to insulate the ignition from shaft 3. Member 9 is a brush connector to slip ring 9. Cam 10 mounted on shaft 3 operates a push rod or the like through opening 10a whence to operate a set of breaker points or to trigger an electronic ignition system. A poppet valve 12 moving in valve guide 12a provides the inlet for fuel/air mixtures to the combustion chamber, item 17 being a stand pipe through which the combustible mixture is supported. Exhaust openings 18 are provided for the exit of combustion products from the cylinders. With this type of engine - as distinct from those types using crankcase charging of fuel air mixture - a source of pressure charging must be used. This can be done by fan scavenging e.g. supercharging or turbocharging (exhaust driven). An engine adapted for supercharging has been illustrated; and gear 19, rotatable with shaft 3, provides a take off point for power to drive a blower to charge through pipe 17.

Flanges 20 enable the engine to be mounted in a vehicle, boat or stationary frame or the like. Note that all pistons move together direction wise (i.e. radially inwardly or outwardly) and in phase, i.e. they all arrive at top dead centre together, providing for a multiple of the compression ratio available for a single cylinder. This enables the engine to have a high compression ratio. By the same token, the converse is true and the power on the power stroke and the B.M.E.P. (brake mean effective pressure) acts on all pistons simultaneously; thus multiplying the equivalent effective torque for the number of cylinders. Further, there is a rapid volumetric increase as the pistons move outwardly whereby liquid cooling of the engine is not necessary, as the burned gases cool relatively quickly due to rapid volume increase and pressure decrease. Additionally, owing to the fact that the cylinder rotates, centrifugal force helps scavenge the burnt gases and kinetic energy of gases is used to produce work. Finally, poppet valve 12 is driven by cam 14, and rocker 15, against return spring 13, and tappet 16 is nut-adjusted. Openings 13 provide access for cooling air to the engine.

In summary, the following should be noted:- It is an object of this specification to describe a 4 or 2 stroke engine construction which is more efficient than those engines in standard four or two stroke.

1. The Law of centrifugal forces is used to do the work. Construction can vary from two pistons to any number of pistons which will simultaneously make up the compression chamber. It is not necessary to use a head as in an ordinary engine. 2. The law of compressed gases: gases exert the same pressure in all directions. Therefore a plurality of pistonshave a larger working area under some pressure than one piston.

3. The law of kinetic energy; once the gas particles start moving from the centre of simultaneous combustion outwardly they so continue without interference through the exits. Thus we do not need to use energy to force the gases out.

4. The law of cooling gases; as the pistons move from centre outwards they are rapidly increasing in volume and rapidly decreasing in pressure which of course automatically cools the particles. Therefore we do not need water to cool the engine - the air is sufficient.

5. From our engine can be obtained a far greater compression ratio than any other conventional engine, which can be very useful for diesel fuel or alcohol. 6. Having cylinder body with pistons and crank shafts with planetary gears with both rotating on two roller bearings it acts as a flywheel. Therefore we do not need extra flywheel, it is a lot less in weight. 7. It uses only one poppet valve and one return spring, saving alot of energy e.g. not driving cam shaft compressing number of springs. 8. Does not need oil pump to pressurise oil for lubrication, it is splastibath lubrication.

Furthermore it should be noted that each crankshaft may carry more than one piston, or the block may have more than one set of pistons.

It will be appreciated that the above description relates to a specific embodiment, (petrol diesel) and that many variations thereof are possible to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine, comprising a housing having a cylindrical peripheral portion with an internal ring gear thereon, a cylinder block member disposed in said housing and mounted so as to be rotatable therein about the axis of said cylindrical portion, said cylinder block membe r including an output shaft extending laterally to one side thereof on said axis, a plurality of cylinders in said cylinder block member radially extending and meeting centrally of said housing to form a common combustion chamber, said cylinders being symmetrically disposed in a plane about the said axis whereby to provide for dynamic balance of the engine in use, spark ignition means for said combustion chamber , and pistons in said cylinders each respectively connected to drive a crank in turn driving a gear mating with said ring gear, whereby in use to rotate said cylinder block member and said shaft with respect to said housing; exhaust port means for each cylinder and inlet port means for combustible mixture to said common chamber.

2. An engine as defined in claim 1 , wherein said inlet port means comprises said cylinder block member having a hollow shaft member extending laterally to the other side thereof and located on said axis , said shaft opening to said common chamber at one end and being closed at the other end, the opening to said common chamber being controlled by a poppet valve operated by a rocker arm driven from a cam mounted on said hollow shaft member.

3. An engine as defined in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said spark ignition means includes a spark plug or diesel injector mounted in said cylinder block member and extending into said common chamber, the power lead to said plug being connected to a conducting ring on said output shaft but insulated there from and brush means engaging said ring and adapted to supply high tension thereto.

4. An engine as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein a gear is mounted on said hollow shaft member to protrude from said housing, said gear being adapted to drive a supercharger to supply pressurised combustible mixture to said common chamber, or air for diesel engines.

5. An engine as defined in any one of the preceding claims including openings in said housing to provide for air or other fluid cooling of said cylinder block member.

6. An engine as defined in any one of the preceding claims including mounting means on said housing whereby the engine is adapted to be mounted in a vehicle, boat, stationary frame, or the like.

7. An engine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims being a two stroke or four stroke, diesel or spark ignition engine.