# US 7,411,320 B2 · Radially-activated engine

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- Number: US 7,411,320 B2
- Document ID: US7411320B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/257,975
- Filed: 2005-10-25
- Published: 2007-04-26
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-25
- Inventors: George E. Bittner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411320B2

## CPC

- H02K 7/075: using crankshafts or eccentrics
- F01B 1/062: {the connection of the pistons with an actuating or actuated element being at the inner ends of the cylinders}
- F01B 9/06: the piston motion being transmitted by curved surfaces
- F03C 1/053: the pistons co-operating with an actuated element at the inner ends of the cylinders
- Y10T 74/18568: Reciprocating or oscillating to or from alternating rotary
- H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53})
- F01B: MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES (of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F01C; of non-positive-displacement type F01D; internal-combustion engines F02B; combustion-product engine plants F02G; machines or engines, other than of positive-displacement type, for liquids F03B; positive-displacement engines driven by liquids F03C; wind motors F03D; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04B; rotary-piston, or oscillating-piston, positive-displacement machines for liquids F04C)
- F03C: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINES DRIVEN BY LIQUIDS (positive- displacement engines for liquids and elastic fluids F01; positive- displacement machines for liquids F04; fluid-pressure actuators F15B; fluid gearing F16H)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A motor includes a plurality of linearly activated pistons, positioned radially around an axis, which are selectively and sequentially biased against on offset element to produce rotation of a rotatable element about the axis. The motor further includes an power source, which may be electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic and a structure for supporting the pistons, the offset element and the rotational element, and providing direction of a desired motion.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A motor for converting linear force into rotational movement, comprising:
a frame, further comprising an actuator assembly with a plurality of radially positioned linear actuators;
a rotatable assembly for rotating about an axle attached to the frame;
a power source;
a means for selectively providing power from the power source to said actuators;
wherein said rotatable assembly has a rim that is spiral in shape with respect to a plane passing through said axle; and
wherein each said linear actuator selectively and sequentially applies linear force against the rim of the rotatable assembly to cause the rotatable assembly to rotate about said axle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein the spirally shaped rim of the rotatable assembly is adjustable.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein the angle formed by said actuator at the point of contact with the rotatable assembly is adjustable.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein said actuator is electrically activated and wherein said power source is electrical.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The motor of claim 4 wherein said means for selectively providing power is a conductive strip that rotates with the rotatable assembly.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein said means for selectively providing power includes a controller for selectively providing working fluid under pressure to said actuators in response to a sensor that senses the rotational position of said rotatable assembly relative to said frame.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The motor of claim 6 wherein said actuator is pneumatically activated, wherein said power source provides pneumatic pressure and wherein said working fluid is a gas.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The motor of claim 6 wherein said actuator is hydraulically activated, wherein said power source provides hydraulic pressure and wherein said working fluid is liquid.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein said liner actuator exerts force against said rim as said actuator extends.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The motor of claim 1 wherein said liner actuator exerts force against said rim as said actuator retracts.