Patent ID: 6662775
Filing Date: 2003-12-16
Classification: F01B,F02B,F02F,F04B,F05C,Y02T

Abstract:
An internal combustion barrel engine comprising:an output shaft having a longitudinal central axis and being rotatable about the central axis; a first combustion cylinder and a first compression cylinder spaced apart and disposed on a common cylinder axis that is generally parallel to the central axis, the cylinders each having an inner end and a outer end with the inner ends being closer to each other; an intake system operable to introduce a combustible mixture into the combustion cylinder; a combustion piston movable within the first combustion cylinder and operable to compress the mixture in the combustion cylinder; a compression piston movable within the first compression cylinder; a track supported on the output shaft and extending generally radially therefrom such that a portion of track is disposed between the inner ends of the first combustion cylinder and the first compression cylinder, the track having a longitudinally undulating surface, the track being rotatable with the output shaft such that as the track and output shaft rotate the portion of the surface most directly between the inner ends of the cylinders undulates toward and away from the inner ends of the cylinders; a connecting rod having a first end connected to the combustion piston, a second end connected to the compression piston, and a midportion therebetween, the midportion being in mechanical communication with the surface of the track such that as the track rotates, the connecting rod urges the combustion piston outwardly within the first combustion cylinder to compress the mixture and then allows the combustion piston to move inwardly within the first combustion cylinder as the mixture expands, the compression piston moving with the connecting rod such that as the combustion piston moves outwardly, the compression piston moves inwardly and as the combustion piston moves inwardly the compression piston moves outwardly; and a valve assembly for providing ambient air to the compression cylinder and venting compressed air from the compression cylinder to the intake system, the valve assembly comprising: a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the body further having an intake passage and an exhaust passage defined therethrough in fluid communication with the compression cylinder; a intake flapper valve disposed on the inner surface of the valve body and having a first position wherein the intake flapper valve is adjacent the inner surface of the valve body and covers the intake passage, the intake flapper valve having a second position wherein a portion of the intake flapper valve flexes away from inner surface so as to uncover the intake passage; and an exhaust flapper valve disposed on the outer surface of the valve body and having a first position wherein the exhaust flapper valve is adjacent the outer surface of the valve body and covers the exhaust passage, the exhaust flapper valve having a second position wherein a portion of the exhaust flapper valve flexes away from the outer surface so as to uncover the exhaust passage.