Gunpowder fueled internal combustion engine

#This invention relates to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a gunpowder fueled internal combustion engine.

#An internal combustion engine produces power by burning fuel inside a closed cylinder. The hot gases from the burned mixture drive a piston or a rotor which turns a crank shaft to provide the output drive from the engine. The fuel which is typically utilized for internal combustion engines is gasoline, diesel, or similar related liquid fuels. While such engines have been consistently utilized, especially in the driving of automobiles and other vehicles, because of the increased cost and shortage of such liquid fuel, alternate sources of fuels are needed to drive such internal combustion engines.

#At the same time, the fuel which is utilized for the internal combustion engine must be one that will be readily available and at the same time will produce sufficient power to drive the vehicle. It must also be controllable and able to be stored within the moving vehicle.

#In the drawings:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the gunpowder fueled internal combustion engine of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and parts in section;

#Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, the internal combustion engine of the present invention is shown generally at 10 and includes a cylinder block 12 with an upper housing 14 located above the cylinder block.

#The cylinder block contains 8 cylinders listed as 16a-16h. The cylinders are circularly arranged about a central vertical axis passing through the cylinder block. Cylinders 16a and 16e lie along the longitudinal axis, while cylinders 16c and 16g lie along the transverse axis. These four cylinders are vertically positioned within the cylinder block. The other four cylinders 16b, 16d, 16f, and 16h, are angularly oriented toward the vertical axis as can best be seen in FIG. 3 which shows the angular disposition of cylinders 16d and 16f.

#Located within each cylinder is a piston 18 with a piston rod 20 downwardly extending therefrom. A first crank shaft 22 is provided which extends along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder block. This can best be seen in FIG. 2. A second crank shaft, 24, is positioned perpendicular to the first crank shaft 22 and lies along a transverse axis. The pistons associated with the two cylinders 16c and 16g lying along the transverse axis are drivingly connected to the transverse crank shaft 24 as shown by the connection of the piston rod 26 extending from the cylinder 16c to the crank arm 28 as well the piston rod 30 extending from the cylinder 16g connected to the crank arm 32. It will be noted that a gear 34 is connected to the right hand portion of the crank shaft 24 and a further gear 36 is connected to the left hand portion of the crank shaft 24.