# US 10,871,105 B1 · Rotating internal combustion engine > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,105 B1 - Document ID: US10871105B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/424,606 - Filed: 2019-05-29 - Published: 2020-12-03 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2019-05-29 - Applicants: Maynard Moore - Inventors: Maynard Moore - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871105B1 ## CPC - F01C 1/22: of internal-axis type with equidirectional movement of co-operating members at the points of engagement, or with one of the co-operating members being stationary, the inner member having more teeth or tooth- equivalents than the outer member - F02B 55/14: Shapes or constructions of combustion chambers - F01C 21/08: Rotary pistons (reciprocating pistons in general F16J) - F02B 53/10: Fuel supply; Introducing fuel to combustion space - F02B 53/12: Ignition - F02B 55/00: Internal-combustion aspects of rotary pistons; Outer members for co-operation with rotary pistons - F02B 55/02: Pistons - F02B 55/08: Outer members for co-operation with rotary pistons; Casings - F01C: ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES (internal-combustion aspects F02B53/00, F02B55/00) - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) ## Abstract An engine design of a rotating pistonless, non-reciprocating internal combustion engine having an engine block having a drive chamber formed in an interior combustion surface having a drive surface and a sloped transitionary portion, and a rotor rotatably supported within the engine block. The rotor having a radially extending disc portion having a plurality of rotor combustion chambers. Each of the rotor combustion chambers has a pyramidal-shaped volume having a driven surface and a sloped transitionary portion, wherein combustion pressure in the rotor combustion chamber and drive chamber is exerted upon the drive surface of the drive chamber and the driven surface of the rotor combustion chamber resulting in driven rotation of the rotor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotating internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block having an interior combustion surface; a plurality of drive chambers formed in the interior combustion surface, each of the plurality of drive chambers having a drive surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a rotor having a hub portion and a radially extending disc portion, the hub portion having a bearing surface and a gear engagement surface, the rotor being rotatably supported within the engine block to rotate relative thereof; a plurality of rotor combustion chambers formed in the rotor, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being in sealing engagement with the interior combustion surface of the engine block, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers having a driven surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a fuel system having a fuel injector configured to introduce a fuel into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the fuel injector; an air induction system having an air inlet configured to introduce air into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the air inlet; and an ignition system having an ignition source configured to ignite the fuel and air in at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers resulting in combustion thereof and increasing combustion pressure within the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers, wherein the combustion pressure is exerted upon the drive surface of at least one of the plurality of drive chambers of the engine block and the driven surface of the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers of the rotor resulting in driven rotation of the rotor, wherein the disc portion of the rotor comprises side surfaces terminating at a circumferential surface and the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are formed in the circumferential surface of the rotor, the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being offset along a plurality of circumferential paths. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers disposed offset along the plurality of circumferential paths are staggered radially such that at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is aligned for combustion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the pyramidal-shaped volume being tapered from a leading portion to a trailing portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein the driven surface of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is substantially flat and substantially orthogonal to a tangent of the rotor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein the driven surface of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is substantially flat and between 70-90 degrees relative to a tangent of the rotor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is substantially orthogonal to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is between 70-90 degrees relative to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of drive chambers and each of the plurality of combustion chambers are sized such that at least one of the plurality of combustion chambers is in fluid communication with at least two of the plurality of drive chambers during combustion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a convex side. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a concave side. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a riblet disposed within the sloped transitionary portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a ring gas port. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 1, further comprising a compression ring configured to seal one of the plurality of drive chambers and a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor combustion chamber. ### Claim 14 A rotating internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block having an interior combustion surface; a plurality of drive chambers formed in the interior combustion surface, each of the plurality of drive chambers having a drive surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a rotor having a hub portion and a radially extending disc portion, the hub portion having a bearing surface and a gear engagement surface, the rotor being rotatably supported within the engine block to rotate relative thereof; a plurality of rotor combustion chambers formed in the rotor, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being in sealing engagement with the interior combustion surface of the engine block, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers having a driven surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a fuel system having a fuel injector configured to introduce a fuel into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the fuel injector; an air induction system having an air inlet configured to introduce air into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the air inlet; and an ignition system having an ignition source configured to ignite the fuel and air in at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers resulting in combustion thereof and increasing combustion pressure within the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers, wherein the combustion pressure is exerted upon the drive surface of at least one of the plurality of drive chambers of the engine block and the driven surface of the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers of the rotor resulting in driven rotation of the rotor, wherein the disc portion of the rotor comprises side surfaces terminating at a circumferential surface and at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is formed in at least one of the side surfaces of the rotor, the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being in sealing engagement with the interior combustion surface of the engine block. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being aligned along a radial path. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are further formed in the circumferential surface of the rotor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the pyramidal-shaped volume being tapered from a leading portion to a trailing portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is substantially orthogonal to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is between 70-90 degrees relative to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of drive chambers and each of the plurality of combustion chambers are sized such that at least one of the plurality of combustion chambers is in fluid communication with at least two of the plurality of drive chambers during combustion. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a convex side. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a concave side. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a riblet disposed within the sloped transitionary portion. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a ring gas port. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14, further comprising a compression ring configured to seal one of the plurality of drive chambers and a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor combustion chamber. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being offset along a plurality of radial paths. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 26 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers disposed offset along the plurality of radial paths are staggered radially such that at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is aligned for combustion. ### Claim 28 (depends on 14) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 14 wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of radially extending disc portions. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 28 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are aligned along a circumferential path of at least one of the plurality of radially extending disc portions. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 28 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are offset along a plurality of circumferential paths of at least one of the plurality of radially extending disc portions. ### Claim 31 A rotating internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block having an interior combustion surface; a plurality of drive chambers formed in the interior combustion surface, each of the plurality of drive chambers having a drive surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a rotor having a hub portion and a radially extending disc portion, the hub portion having a bearing surface and a gear engagement surface, the rotor being rotatably supported within the engine block to rotate relative thereof; a plurality of rotor combustion chambers formed in the rotor, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being in sealing engagement with the interior combustion surface of the engine block, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers having a driven surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a fuel system having a fuel injector configured to introduce a fuel into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the fuel injector; an air induction system having an air inlet configured to introduce air into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the air inlet; and an ignition system having an ignition source configured to ignite the fuel and air in at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers resulting in combustion thereof and increasing combustion pressure within the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers, wherein the combustion pressure is exerted upon the drive surface of at least one of the plurality of drive chambers of the engine block and the driven surface of the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers of the rotor resulting in driven rotation of the rotor, wherein the interior combustion surface of the engine block is cylindrical and the plurality of drive chambers are disposed at a regular interval about the cylindrical interior surface. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein the regular interval is configured such that at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers is aligned for combustion. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein the regular interval is every 20 degrees about the cylindrical interior surface. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the pyramidal-shaped volume being tapered from a leading portion to a trailing portion. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein at least one of the plurality of drive chambers is aligned along a rotational path with another one of the plurality of drive chambers. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein at least one of the plurality of drive chambers is offset aligned along a rotational path with another one of the plurality of drive chambers. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a convex side. ### Claim 38 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a concave side. ### Claim 39 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a riblet disposed within the sloped transitionary portion. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a ring gas port. ### Claim 41 (depends on 31) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 31, further comprising a compression ring configured to seal one of the plurality of drive chambers and a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor combustion chamber. ### Claim 42 A rotating internal combustion engine comprising: an engine block having an interior combustion surface; a plurality of drive chambers formed in the interior combustion surface, each of the plurality of drive chambers having a drive surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a rotor having a hub portion and a radially extending disc portion, the hub portion having a bearing surface and a gear engagement surface, the rotor being rotatably supported within the engine block to rotate relative thereof; a plurality of rotor combustion chambers formed in the rotor, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being in sealing engagement with the interior combustion surface of the engine block, each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers having a driven surface and a sloped transitionary portion; a fuel system having a fuel injector configured to introduce a fuel into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the fuel injector; an air induction system having an air inlet configured to introduce air into each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers upon rotational movement of each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers relative to the air inlet; and an ignition system having an ignition source configured to ignite the fuel and air in at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers resulting in combustion thereof and increasing combustion pressure within the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers, wherein the combustion pressure is exerted upon the drive surface of at least one of the plurality of drive chambers of the engine block and the driven surface of the at least one of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers of the rotor resulting in driven rotation of the rotor, wherein each of the plurality of drive chambers and each of the plurality of combustion chambers are sized such that at least one of the plurality of combustion chambers is continuously in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of drive chambers during a complete rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the pyramidal-shaped volume being tapered from a leading portion to a trailing portion. ### Claim 44 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being aligned along a path. ### Claim 45 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers being offset along a plurality of paths. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are formed in the circumferential surface of the rotor. ### Claim 47 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are formed in at least one of the side surfaces of the rotor. ### Claim 48 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the pyramidal-shaped volume being tapered from a leading portion to a trailing portion. ### Claim 49 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is substantially orthogonal to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 50 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the drive surface of each of the plurality of drive chambers is between 70-90 degrees relative to the interior combustion surface. ### Claim 51 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of drive chambers and each of the plurality of combustion chambers are sized such that at least one of the plurality of combustion chambers is in fluid communication with at least two of the plurality of drive chambers during combustion. ### Claim 52 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a convex side. ### Claim 53 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a pyramidal-shaped volume having the driven surface and the sloped transitionary portion, the sloped transitionary portion having a concave side. ### Claim 54 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a riblet disposed within the sloped transitionary portion. ### Claim 55 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein each of the plurality of rotor combustion chambers comprises a ring gas port. ### Claim 56 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42, further comprising a compression ring configured to seal one of the plurality of drive chambers and a corresponding one of the plurality of rotor combustion chamber. ### Claim 57 (depends on 42) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 42 wherein the rotor comprises a plurality of radially extending disc portions. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 57 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are aligned along a circumferential path of at least one of the plurality of radially extending disc portions. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The rotating internal combustion engine according to claim 57 wherein the plurality of rotor combustion chambers are offset along a plurality of circumferential paths of at least one of the plurality of radially extending disc portions.