US 5,228,415 A · Engines featuring modified dwell

Abstract

Novel reciprocating engines which feature conversion units each formed of an expansion cylinder, a compression cylinder and a passageway connecting the two. Pistons in the cylinders are preferably connected via a four-bar or other linkage to the crank so that the compression piston remains at substantially top dead center for a substantial portion of the stroke of the expansion piston, and vice versa. Communication between the cylinders via the passageway may thus be continuously open with no substantial pressure drop between cylinders. Fuel may be injected into the air or other gas moving between cylinders giving an internal combustion engine, or the gas may be heated by external means. Devices according to this concept limit peak pressure and temperatures, resulting in the formation of fewer nitrous oxides. The expansion displacement volume may be larger than the compression displacement volume, and the strokes of the compression and expansion pistons may differ, in order to provide fuller expansion of the combustion gases and increase efficiency.

Claims39

Dependent claims

An internal combustion engine comprising at least one conversion unit which includes:

(a) a compression cylinder;
(b) an expansion cylinder separate from the compression cylinder;
(c) a passageway connecting the compression cylinder with the expansion cylinder;
(d) a compression piston disposed in the compression cylinder in a sliding relationship;
(e) an expansion piston disposed in the expansion cylinder in a sliding relationship;
(f) a crank;
and
(h) means for coupling the compression and expansion pistons to the crank such that the compression piston remains substantially stationary at substantially top dead center during a substantial portion of the stroke of the expansion piston, and the expansion piston remains substantially stationary at substantially top dead center during a substantial portion of the stroke of the compression piston.

5 more elements

An internal combustion engine comprising at least one conversion unit which includes:

(a) a compression cylinder;
(b) an expansion cylinder separate from the compression cylinder;
(c) a passageway connecting the compression cylinder with the expansion cylinder;
(d) a compression piston disposed in the compression cylinder in a sliding relationship;
(e) a compression power transfer unit comprising:
(1) a piston rod pivotally connected to the compression piston;
(2) a planetary gear connected eccentrically and pivotally to the piston rod;
(3) a crank connected pivotally to substantially the center of the planetary gear;
(4) a gear ring fixed with respect to the engine, which meshes with the planetary gear in order to control rotation of the planetary gear as the crank rotates, and thus to control the motion of the piston rod connected eccentrically to the planetary gear;
(f) an expansion piston disposed in the expansion cylinder in a sliding relationship;
and
(g) an expansion power transfer unit comprising:
(1) a piston rod pivotally connected to the expansion piston;
(2) a planetary gear connected eccentrically and pivotally to the piston rod of the expansion piston and whose center is connected pivotally to a crank;
and
(3) a gear ring fixed with respect to the engine, which meshes with the planetary gear of the expansion power unit in order to control rotation of the planetary gear of the expansion power unit as the crank of the expansion power unit rotates, and thus to control the motion of the piston rod of the expansion power unit connected eccentrically to the planetary gear of the expansion power unit.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Engines featuring modified dwell

Life of this patent

Engines featuring modified dwell

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims39