Torque multiplier engines
AssigneeMcAlister Technologies, LLC
InventorsRoy E. McAlister, Melvin J. Larsen, Roy Edward McAlister
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Torque multiplier engines, and associated methods and systems, are disclosed herein. An internal combustion engine in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a connecting rod operably coupling a pair of opposing pistons. The engine can further include a first bearing coupled to the connecting rod and positioned to engage a first cam groove of an inner cam drum. A second bearing coupled to the connecting rod can be positioned to engage a second cam groove on an outer cam drum. The first and second bearings can translate linear motion of the opposing pistons to rotation of the cam drums.
Claims20
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- a pair of opposing pistons;
- a connecting rod operably coupling the opposing pistons to one another;
- an inner cam drum having a first cam groove;
- a first bearing coupled to the connecting rod, the first bearing positioned to engage the first cam groove, wherein the first bearing translates linear motion of the opposing pistons to rotation of the inner cam drum;
- an outer cam drum having a second cam groove;
- and
- a second bearing coupled to the connecting rod, the second bearing positioned to engage the second cam groove, wherein the second bearing translates linear motion of the opposing pistons to rotation of the outer cam drum.
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- a plurality of cylinders disposed in a radial configuration;
- a plurality of pistons, individual pistons disposed in corresponding cylinders;
- a plurality of roller bearings, individual roller bearings operably coupled to corresponding pistons;
- and
- a cam positioned to engage the roller bearings;
- the cam including a plurality of lobes and a cross-sectional shape configured to convert linear motion of the pistons to rotational motion.
An internal combustion engine comprising:
- a plurality of pistons, individual pistons including a sidewall;
- a plurality of roller bearings, individual roller bearings operably coupled to individual pistons;
- a central cam positioned to engage the roller bearings, the central cam configured to convert linear motion of the pistons to rotational motion;
- a plurality of valve cams, individual valve cams operably coupled to corresponding roller bearings, wherein the valve cams are configured to rotate with individual roller bearings;
- a plurality of piston valves, individual piston valves operably coupled to corresponding pistons;
- and
- a plurality of rollers, individual rollers operably coupled to corresponding piston valves by valve stems, the plurality of rollers configured to engage corresponding valve cams and operate the individual piston valves between a closed position and an open position.
A variable compression piston, the piston comprising:
- a sidewall;
- a piston valve including a valve stem, the piston valve forming at least a portion of a top of the piston;
- a roller operably coupled to the valve stem;
- and
- a rotatable valve cam having a plurality of lobes, the lobes configured to engage the roller to move the piston valve between a closed position and an open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.