Cam controlled reciprocating piston device
OwnerGlen F. Chatfieldinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A unique reciprocating piston device that uses one or more special cams and yokes to replace the functions normally provided by crankpins and connecting rods. The cams have noncircular finite jerk lift surfaces which provide continuous positive positioning of the yokes and pistons. Various cams can be configured to overcome the performance limitations imposed by crank and rod controlled pistons for a wide variety of engines and pumps. Preferred embodiments of this invention create a flexible, reliable, efficient and smooth running device for compressing, expanding and transferring fluids. In one specific application, an internal combustion engine is designed such that its pistons spend a greater portion of time near the top and bottom of each stroke than is possible with a crankshaft type engine.
Claims17
In an internal combustion engine the improvement comprising
- at least one cylinder and integral cam case,
- a camshaft,
- camshaft bearings for journaling the shaft in the cam case,
- a reciprocating piston in said at least one cylinder,
- a yoke comprising two cam follower surfaces, and
- a rod joining said piston and yoke
- a cam means comprising at least one noncircular, finite jerk cam mounted upon said camshaft and positioned within said yoke, said cam means configured such that it maintains positive control of the yoke at all times, such that said piston and yoke assembly makes precisely two strokes for each revolution of the camshaft and such that axial motion of the yoke near top and bottom dead center differs from just simple harmonic motion.
In an external combustion engine the improvement comprising
- at least one cylinder and integral cam case,
- a camshaft ,
- camshaft bearings for journaling the shaft in the cam case,
- a reciprocating piston in said at least one cylinder,
- a yoke comprising two cam follower surfaces, and
- a rod joining said piston and yoke
- a cam means comprising at least one noncircular, finite jerk cam mounted upon said camshaft and positioned within said yoke, said cam means configured such that it maintains positive control of the yoke at all times, such that said piston and yoke assembly makes precisely two strokes for each revolution of the camshaft and such that axial motion of the yoke near the top and bottom dead center differs from just simple harmonic motion.
A reciprocating piston mechanism comprising
- at least one cylinder and integral cam case,
- a camshaft ,
- camshaft bearings for journaling the shaft in the cam case,
- a reciprocating piston in said at least one cylinder,
- a yoke comprising two cam follower surfaces, and
- a rod joining said piston and yoke
- a cam means comprising at least one noncircular, finite jerk cam mounted upon said camshaft and positioned within said yoke, said cam means configured such that it maintains positive control of the yoke at all times, such that said piston and yoke assembly makes precisely two strokes for each revolution of the camshaft and such that axial motion of the yoke near top and bottom dead center differs from just simple harmonic motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.