Abstract:
A rotary power device of modular construction is disclosed in which one or more pistons are reciprocably received in a cylinder sleeve, and the sleeve is rotatably supported in a bore within a housing. A cam and follower mechanism acting between the housing and piston governs reciprocating motion of the piston(s) within the sleeve. Rotary power can be extracted from the sleeve, or reciprocating power can be extracted from the piston(s). The rotating cylinder functions as a sleeve valve and permits, depending on the porting, use of the device as a gas-expansion engine (e.g. steam or compressed air) or pump, or as a two-stroke or four stroke internal combustion engines using spark or compression ignition. Engines built according to the invention are simples, compact, and can be perfectly balanced, and multiple engine modules may be coupled together in various configurations to form power plants of various sizes.
Abstract:
An external combustion rotary engine comprising a motor member, a free-piston combustion member and a storage tank serving also as a heat exchanger and located between the motor and the combustor. The motor rotors rotate inside an enveloping structure eccentrically with respect to a power shaft to form alternatively compression and expansion chambers. Compressed air produced thereby is ducted first to the storage tank and then to the combustor for burning fuel to produce combusted gases which are in turn ducted to the storage tank where heat is exchanged between the hot gases and the cooler compressed air. The combusted gas is then expanded in the expansion chambers. A fraction of the compressed air is further compressed to a higher pressure level so that it may be used in air pad cushions to isolate the various engine rotating parts from the fixed structures surrounding them. The use of such air cushions prevents contacts between moving parts and eliminates friction, heat production therefrom and wear. The need for lubrication is thus also eliminated. The "externally" performed fuel combustion is much slower than in comparable internal combustion rotary engines. This results in higher combustion efficiencies, lower combustion temperatures and lower rates of production of pollutants such as NO.sub.x.
Abstract:
A free piston combustion chamber coupled to air compression and gas expansion chambers are combined with a rotary motor. The rotary motor shaft drives the air compressor, receives power from the expanding gases in the expansion chamber and provides residual torque and power for external use. Two combustion chambers located at each end of the free piston receive compressed air and fuel for combustion outside of the rotary motor assembly. The motion of the free piston between the two combustion chambers is independent of the motor rotary motion. The air admission inside the combustion chambers, the fuel injection and the combustion initiation process are all controlled and timed by the free piston movement back and forth. The compressed air exiting from the compression chamber is heated by the gases exiting from the combustion chambers, before they are admitted into the expansion chamber of the rotary motor. The heat exchanger also performs the function of a pressurized vessel or reservoir to smooth out pressure surges in the compressed air or gases entering or leaving the combustion chambers. The power output of the rotary motor is determined by the control of the amount of air or of the amount of fuel admitted in the combustion chambers. Air and fuel admissions can also be controlled simultaneously in a programmed manner. The two combustion chambers can also be formed alternatively by two oscillating free pistons guided inside a quasi torodoidally shaped containing structure.
Abstract:
An apparatus for effecting the lubrication of expansible chamber devices of the type having a cylinder with a piston reciprocating therein and having fluid flowing in and out of the chamber. The invention is particularly suitable for free piston Stirling engines and pumps. A torque force is applied to the piston causing it to spin sufficiently to entrain and drag along its outer surface some of the fluid in the expansible chamber so as to separate its outer surface from the wall of the cylinder.
Abstract:
A medium-power, free-piston electric current generator is disclosed in which the piston is slidable in a vertical cylinder open at its top end, with a combustion chamber at its lower end. Induction coils are provided along the length of the cylinder. The piston is formed at least in part of magnetic material and the piston return is effected by the force of gravity. Valves for exhausting combustion gases are provided in the lower part of the cylinder and the opening and closing of the valves is synchronized with the movement of the piston. The cylinder and piston are cooled appropriately. The generator may employ gasoline, heating oil, a gas fuel or explosive substance.
Abstract:
The piston shaft of an internal combustion engine, which shaft moves in a straight line path powered by combustion gasses within a cylinder, connects to a gear train assembly rotatably attached to the cylinder and continuously rotates the piston about its straight line path during its motion in such path and provides for reversible direction and variable speed of the engine output shaft.