Rotary engine

An internal combustion engine of the rotary type comprising:

• inner and outer housings and housing side pltes having surfaces defining an annularly disposed working chamber,
• intake and exhaust openings in communication with said working chamber for permitting admission of combustible gases and exhaust of the products of combustion,
• first and second valves substantially oppositely positioned in said chamber for dividing said chamber into a compression zone and an expansion zone,
• at least one piston mounted in said chamber, means for effecting orbital movement of said piston within said chamber, said piston being movable relative to said inner and outer housings, said piston being operable to compress a charge of combustible gases while moving through said compression zone and to be driven through said expansion zone by the action of said combustible gases when ignited therein,
• power output means connected to said piston and driven thereby as said piston moves through said expansion zone,
• valve actuating means connected to said first and second valves for opening said valves to allow said piston to pass between said zones,
• means carried by said piston for containing the charge of compressed combustible gases from said compression zone and transporting said compressed combustible gases from said compression zone to said expansion zone, and
• ignitiion means for igniting said compressed combustible gases when said piston is in said expansion zone.