Internal combustion engine
AssigneeAdvanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.
InventorPeter Hofbauer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) internal combustion engine. The OPOC engine comprises two cylinders opposed at 180 degrees. A linking element connects two outer pistons so that they move in tandem. A central piston is disposed between and moves in opposition to the outer pistons. The linking element is adapted to drive secondary mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of a drive shaft, electric generator, hydraulic pump, pneumatic pump, and gear-driven mechanisms, among others.
Claims25
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- at least one set of two outer pistons and a central piston disposed between the outer pistons, the pistons reciprocating on a common axis, at least one piston being a free piston;
- an end of a first outer piston and a first end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the first outer piston and the central piston, defining a first combustion chamber;
- and
- an end of a second outer piston and a second end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the second outer piston and the central piston, defining a second combustion chamber.
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- at least one-pair of combustion chambers axially arranged in one or more cylinders substantially in an opposed piston, opposed cylinder configuration, each at least one pair of combustion chambers further including three free pistons comprising two tandemly moving outer pistons and at least one central piston moving opposite the tandemly moving outer pistons;
- each outer piston having an end for forming a combustion chamber with an end of the central piston;
- and
- a connecting member connected to each of at least two pistons, the connecting members having a part external to the cylinder and moving linearly in correspondence with the piston for transfer of mechanical energy each cylinder including a slot for each connecting member, the slots being adapted to allow the connecting members to mechanically connect the pistons with an external mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.