US 4,144,771 A · Variable stroke piston type engine

Abstract

A piston type energy conversion machine in which the thrust of one or more reciprocating pistons is transmitted to a nutating tubular member having longitudinally spaced journal surfaces of revolution about a nutating axis adjustably inclined with respect to a primary engine axis. The journal surfaces on the nutating member are engaged by a crank member rotatable on the primary engine axis and carrying adjustably eccentric bearings to engage the journal surfaces of the nutating member. Angular adjustment of the axis of nutation effects a variable piston stroke distance as a result of a connection of the pistons to the nutating members at points spaced radially from the nutating axis. Compression ratio is adjusted independently by shifting the point of piston connection with the nutating member along the nutating axis. The nutating member is tubular to establish interior traction surfaces engagable with oppositely converging cone-like surfaces carried by an output shaft so that speed ratio of the output shaft may be varied simultaneously with changes in the angle of nutation and piston stroke length.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A piston engine comprising:

a frame;
a first element rotatable on a first axis fixed with respect to said frame;
a tubular second element having concentric rolling and journal surfaces of revolution about a second axis inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection;
a third element and extending within and throughout the length of said second element, said third element being rotatable on said first axis and having diametrically eccentric bearing members spaced along said second axis on opposite sides of said point of axes intersection, said bearing members engaging said journal surfaces in a plane containing said first and second axes;
at least one fluid working chamber defined by said frame, a piston reciprocable in said working chamber on a third axis spaced from said first axis;
and
means coupling said piston to said second element, said last mentioned means defining a thrust receiving point of engagement with said piston, said thrust receiving point being spaced from said point of axes intersection.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable stroke piston type engine

Life of this patent

Variable stroke piston type engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17