Patent ID: 6505538
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: F01B,F01L,F02B

Abstract:
A mechanism for ensuring self-starting of a multi-cylinder, single crankshaft, reciprocating piston engine with at least three cylinders distributed along a common crankshaft, to provide a rotational output upon provision thereto of a supply of an expandable working fluid at a predetermined initial condition, comprising:a speed responsive mechanism coupled with the crankshaft that forcibly adjusts a position thereof in correspondence with a rotational speed of the crankshaft; and an individual mode switch valve at each cylinder including a control piston and a check valve both linked with the speed responsive mechanism, the control piston and check valve being adapted and arranged to cooperatively control the start and stop of an inflow of the expandable working fluid at the initial condition, into individual engine cylinders in a prescribed sequence, as a function of the position of each individual piston with respect to its top dead center (TDC) during a working stroke, in correspondence with the position of the speed responsive mechanism.