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US 4,203,396 AGranted
Barrel engine with rocking ball drive
OwnerAlfred H. Bergerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reciprocating engine having multiple pistons coupled to a ball drive element which is retained in a spherical bearing seat and moves with a rocking motion about plural intersecting axes. Drive pins projecting from the ball element move in conical paths and are coupled eccentrically to output shafts, which provide rotary drive for primary power output and for valve and accessory operation.
Claims9
An engine, comprising:
- a block having a plurality of opposed pairs of cylinders spaced around and parallel to a common axis;
- pistons reciprocally mounted in said cylinders and coupled in axially aligned pairs;
- said block having opposed fixed spherical seats substantially at the center thereof on said common axis;
- a ball element rotatably mounted in and supported by said seats;
- arms extending substantially radially from said ball on angularly spaced axes, each of said arms being coupled to one of said pairs of pistons;
- a drive pin projecting from said ball and spaced from said arms;
- an output shaft rotatably mounted in and extending from said block, said shaft having an eccentric drive connection to said drive pin;
- and timing means for controlling sequential operation of said pistons to rock said ball element alternately about different axes.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.