Abstract:
An internal combustion engine for propelling a vehicle. The internal combustion engine includes a block having a substantially X-shaped cross-section. Each of the legs constituting a bank of cylinders, with a manifold assembly coupled between adjacent banks for the purpose of introducing fuel and expelling exhaust as standard pistons cycle through the cylinders rotating about a crankshaft.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly pertains to a new internal combustion engine for propelling a vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of internal combustion engines is known in the prior art. More specifically, internal combustion engines heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,271,011; U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,610; U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,213; U.S. Pat. No. 2,254,817; U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,938; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,648. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new internal combustion engine. The inventive device includes a block having a substantially X-shaped cross-section. Each of the legs constituting a bank of cylinders, with a manifold assembly coupled between adjacent banks for the purpose of introducing fuel and expelling exhaust as standard pistons cycle through the cylinders rotating about a crankshaft. 
     In these respects, the internal combustion engine according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of propelling a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of internal combustion engines now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new internal combustion engine construction wherein the same can be utilized for propelling a vehicle. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new internal combustion engine apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the internal combustion engines mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new internal combustion engine which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art internal combustion engines, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a block having a substantially X-shaped cross-section. Each of the legs constituting a bank of cylinders, with a manifold assembly coupled between adjacent banks for the,purpose of introducing fuel and expelling exhaust as standard pistons cycle through the cylinders rotating about a crankshaft. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new internal combustion engine apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the internal combustion engines mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new internal combustion engine which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art internal combustion engines, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new internal combustion engine which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new internal combustion engine which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such internal combustion engine economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine for propelling a vehicle. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine which includes a block having a substantially X-shaped cross-section. Each of the legs constituting a bank of cylinders, with a manifold assembly coupled between adjacent banks for the purpose of introducing fuel and expelling exhaust as standard pistons cycle through the cylinders rotating about a crankshaft. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine that is more compact, taking up less lateral room with the engine compartment, freeing room for other components and allowing more style modifications made to the body. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new internal combustion engine that incorporates opposing cylinder heads rather than the usual straight or V-shaped designs while delivering ample power with less vibration. 
    
    
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the block of a new internal combustion engine according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the crankshaft of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an end view of the block of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a rod and piston assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an end view showing the manifold assemblies of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 7 thereof, a new internal combustion engine embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7, the internal combustion engine  10  generally comprises a block  12  that has a plurality of cylinders  14 . Each of the cylinders  14  extends through the block  12 . Each of the cylinders  14  is diametrically opposed from another of the cylinders  14 . 
     A plurality of manifold assemblies  16  is coupled to the block  12 . At least one of the manifold assemblies  16  is designed for controlling introduction of a fuel mixture into the cylinders  14  of the block  12 . At least one of the manifold assemblies  16  is designed venting exhaust out of the cylinders  14  of the block  12 . 
     A plurality of pistons  18  each is positioned in one of the cylinders  14  of the block  12 . A plurality of rods  20  each is coupled to one of the pistons  18 . Each of the rods  20  is coupled to a crankshaft  22 . The crankshaft  22  is for controlling movement of each piston with an associated one of the cylinders  14 . The crankshaft  22  is designed for coupling to a drive train of a vehicle such that the crankshaft  22  is designed for providing rotary motion when a user wishes to drive the vehicle. 
     Each of the pistons  18  is designed for compressing the fuel mixture when the pistons  18  are positioned proximate a top  23  of an associated one of the cylinders  14 . Each of the pistons  18  is for sliding along a length of the associated one of the cylinders  14  when the compressed fuel mixture is ignited. Each of the pistons  18  is designed for exhausting the combusted fuel mixture when the pistons  18  return to the top  23  of the associated one of the cylinders  14 . 
     The block  12  has a plurality of banks  24 . The cylinders  14  are divided equally between the banks  24 . Each of the banks  24  is diametrically opposed to another of the banks  24 . 
     Each of the manifold assemblies  16  is positioned between a pair of adjacent banks  26 . Each of the manifold assemblies  16  is in selective fluid communication with the cylinders  14  of an associated one of the banks  24 . Each of the manifold assemblies  16  is for controlling introduction of the fuel mixture into the cylinders  14  and expulsion of the exhaust from the cylinders  14 . 
     Each of the banks  24  has a plurality of inlet ports  28  and a plurality of outlet ports  30 . The inlet ports  28  are in fluid communication with an associated one of the manifold assemblies  16  such that the inlet ports  28  are designed for permitting introduction of the fuel mixture from the associated one of the manifold assemblies  16 . The outlet ports  30  are in fluid communication with an associated one of the manifold assemblies  16  such that the outlet ports  30  are designed for permitting expulsion of the exhaust from the cylinders  14 . 
     The inlet ports  28  and the outlet ports  30  extend through sides  31  of each of the banks  24 . The outlet ports  30  are positioned opposite the inlet ports  28 . The outlet ports  30  are designed for permitting exhaust to be expelled into one of the manifold assemblies  16  such that the inlet ports  28  are designed for permitting introduction of the fuel mixture from another of the manifold assemblies  16 . 
     The crankshaft  22  has a plurality of connection portions  32 . Each of the connection portions  32  are coupled to an end of a spacer portion  34  such that each of the connection portions  32  is positioned opposite and adjacent one of the connection portions  32 . Each of the rods  20  is coupled to one of the connection portions  32 . Each of the connection portions  32  is offset from a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft  22  such that the crankshaft  22  is for cycling each of the pistons  18  through an associated one of the cylinders  14 . 
     Each of the manifold assemblies  16  has a cam  36 . The cam  36  of each of the manifold assemblies  16  is operationally coupled to the crankshaft  22 . The cam  36  is designed for controlling introduction of the fuel mixture to the cylinders  14  when the crankshaft  22  is rotated. The cam  36  is designed for controlling expulsion of exhaust from the cylinders  14  when the fuel mixture is combusted when the crankshaft  22  is rotated. 
     Each of the rods  20  has a neck portion  38  and a base portion  39 . The neck portion  38  of each of the rods  20  is coupled to an associated one of the pistons  18 . The base portion  39  of each of the rods  20  is coupled to the crankshaft  22 . Each of the rods  20  is for translating rotation of the crankshaft  22  to linear movement of the associated one of the pistons  18 . 
     As an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, each of the manifold assemblies  16  is coupled to an upper end  40  of the banks  24 . Each of the manifold assemblies  16  introduces the fuel mixture to the cylinders  14  of an associated one of the banks  24 . Each of the manifold assemblies  16  permits expulsion of exhaust from the cylinders  14  of the associated one of the banks  24  when the fuel mixture has been combusted. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.