Rotary combustion engine rotor deactivation and method
OwnerAvner RONENinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and a Rotary Combustion Engine (RCE) suitable for deactivation of at least one rotor out of a plurality of rotors. The RCE includes at least a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion which are disposed in straight coextensive longitudinal axial alignment. Each shaft portion may support at least one rotor. The at least first shaft portion and second shaft portion are separated by a gap. A shaft coupling mechanism is operable to bridge the gap and couple the first shaft portion in engagement with the second shaft portion for rotation together. The shaft coupling mechanism is also operable to disengage the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion, and thereby deactivate the rotation of at least one rotor.
Claims20
A Rotary Combustion Engine (RCE) suitable for deactivation of at least one rotor of a plurality of rotors, the RCE comprising:
- a shaft having at least a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion which are disposed in coextensive longitudinal coaxial alignment, and wherein each shaft portion supports at least one rotor;
- a gap which separates the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion;
- and
- a shaft coupling mechanism configured to:
- engage the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion for rotation together, and
- disengage one of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion to deactivate rotation of the at least one rotor.
A Rotary Combustion Engine (RCE) suitable for deactivation of at least one rotor of a plurality of rotors, the RCE comprising:
- a shaft having at least a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion which are disposed in mutual coextensive longitudinal axial alignment, and wherein each shaft portion supports at least one rotor;
- a gap which separates the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion;
- a shaft coupling mechanism engaged with the second shaft portion and configured for engagement with the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion;
- and
- an actuator configured to:
- translate the shaft coupling mechanism across the gap to engage the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion for rotation together, and
- disengage one of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion to deactivate the at least one rotor.
A method for reversibly deactivating at least one rotor of a plurality of rotors of a Rotary Combustion Engine (RCE), the method comprising:
- providing the RCE with a shaft having at least a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion that are disposed in mutual coextensive longitudinal axial alignment and wherein each shaft portion supports at least one rotor;
- separating the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion by a gap;
- and
- providing a shaft coupling mechanism configured for:
- coupling across the gap of the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion into simultaneous rotation, and
- deactivating at least one rotor of the plurality of rotors by uncoupling the first shaft portion and the second shaft portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.