Back to results
US 7,255,070 B2Granted
Internal combustion engine
AssigneeAdvanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc.
InventorPeter Hofbauer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide an opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) internal combustion engine. The OPOC engine comprises two cylinders opposed at 180 degrees. A linking element connects two outer pistons so that they move in tandem. A central piston is disposed between and moves in opposition to the outer pistons. The linking element is adapted to drive secondary mechanisms in accordance with embodiments of a drive shaft, electric generator, hydraulic pump, pneumatic pump, and gear-driven mechanisms, among others.
Claims11
A pump, comprising:
- a pump mechanism;
- and
- an internal combustion engine comprising:
- at least one set of two outer pistons and a central piston disposed between the outer pistons, the pistons reciprocating on a common axis, at least one piston being a free piston;
- an end of a first outer piston and a first end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the first outer piston and the central piston, defining a first combustion chamber;
- and
- an end of a second outer piston and a second end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the second outer piston and the central piston, defining a second combustion chamber, wherein at least one piston includes at least one connecting member communicating with the pump mechanism so as to drive the pump mechanism in correspondence with the piston, and wherein the element external to the cylinder is an element of a pumping mechanism;
- wherein the element of the pumping mechanism comprises a movable chamber.
5 more elements
A pump, comprising:
- a pump mechanism;
- and
- an internal combustion engine comprising:
- at least one set of two outer pistons and a central piston disposed between the outer pistons, the pistons reciprocating on a common axis, at least one piston being a free piston;
- an end of a first outer piston and a first end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the first outer piston and the central piston, defining a first combustion chamber;
- and
- an end of a second outer piston and a second end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the second outer piston and the central piston, defining a second combustion chamber, wherein at least one piston includes at least one connecting member communicating with the pump mechanism so as to drive the pump mechanism in correspondence with the piston, and wherein the element external to the cylinder is an element of a pumping mechanism;
- wherein the engine provides two elements of a pumping mechanism, each linked to opposed lines of movement, one element comprising a plunger and the other a movable chamber, the plunger being disposed in the chamber.
5 more elements
A pump, comprising:
- a pump mechanism;
- and
- an internal combustion engine comprising:
- at least one set of two outer pistons and a central piston disposed between the outer pistons, the pistons reciprocating on a common axis, at least one piston being a free piston;
- an end of a first outer piston and a first end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the first outer piston and the central piston, defining a first combustion chamber;
- and
- an end of a second outer piston and a second end of the central piston, in conjunction with a cylinder for the second outer piston and the central piston, defining a second combustion chamber, wherein at least one piston includes at least one connecting member communicating with the pump mechanism so as to drive the pump mechanism in correspondence with the piston, and wherein the element external to the cylinder is an element of a pumping mechanism;
- further comprising means for introducing fluid from the pumping mechanism to the engine;
- and
- wherein the means for introducing fluid is adapted to direct liquid coolant around at least a portion of the cylinder to cool the cylinder.
7 more elements
A system for pumping a fluid, comprising:
- a housing having concentrically and movably arranged outer and inner chambers,
- each chamber having intake means, the engine providing at least two externally disposed connecting members providing opposed lined of reciprocating movement,
- the connecting members linked to each chamber so that the chambers move opposite relative to each other,
- the engine having an intake port in communication with the outer chamber so that intake gases are drawn into the housing through the intake means and directed into the engine.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.