Rotary engine

A rotary engine is provided comprising a housing (12) and a rotor (14) comprising a compression eccentric (20) and a power eccentric (22). Gases are compressed within the space formed by the housing (12), the compression eccentric (20) and a compression gate (72), after being introduced through an intake manifold (28). Gases are transferred from the compression eccentric to the power eccentric through a rotary combustion chamber (36), in which combustion of the gases is initiated by an ignition device. Expanding gases cause rotation of the rotor (14) by expanding in the space formed by the housing (12), power eccentric (22) and a power gate (66). Gases exit from the power eccentric (22) through an exhaust port (80).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to internal combustion engines, and in 
particular to rotary engines. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Needs for more efficient and powerful internal combustion engines are ever 
present. Rotary engines have proven to be important alternatives to 
conventional piston-type engines. 
The efficiency of an engine is based in part on whether it makes full use 
of the energy available from the expansion of combusted gases. Limitations 
in the size of the available volume for gas expansion during combustion 
has been a problem in making full use of the energy available from the 
combustion of gases in existing rotary engines. Accordingly, one 
efficiency limitation results when exhaust occurs before the combusted 
gases have completely expanded, i.e., before the power stroke has 
completed. 
Therefore, a need has arisen for a rotary engine that, through the 
efficient use of space in a same engine, provides a relatively large 
volume for gas expansion to take advantage of the available energy from 
the combustion of gases. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a rotary engine is provided which 
comprises a rotor housed within a housing. The rotor comprises a 
compression eccentric and a power eccentric spaced apart from each other. 
Gases are conveyed into the housing through an intake manifold. Gases are 
compressed in the space formed by the housing, the compression eccentric, 
and a compression gate that remains in contact with the compression 
eccentric at all times. A rotating combustion chamber transfers gases from 
the compression eccentric to the power eccentric. During this transfer, an 
ignition device ignites gases in the rotating combustion chamber before 
they are transferred to the power eccentric. These ignited gases expand in 
the space formed by the power eccentric, the housing, and a power gate 
that is in contact with the power eccentric at all times. Gases exit the 
power eccentric through an exhaust port aligned with the power eccentric. 
An important technical advantage of a rotary engine according to the 
present invention inheres in the fact that a substantial portion of the 
available energy from combusting gases is utilized before exhaust.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are 
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1 through 8b of the drawings, like 
reference characters being used for like parts in the various drawings. 
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rotary engine, indicated generally at 10, 
that is constructed according to the teachings of the present invention. 
In general, operation of the engine occurs within a housing or engine 
block 12. A rotor 14 rotates within a bore 16 of the housing 12. The rotor 
14 may be rotatively supported within the housing 12 by separate bearings 
(not shown) or by closely controlling the tolerances between the exterior 
of the rotor 14 where it fits into the housing 12. The rotor 14 comprises 
a shaft 18 of a smaller diameter than the rotor 14 and extending 
concentrically outward from each end of the rotor 14. Useful advantage of 
the rotary engine 10 may be gained by mechanical connection of various 
systems to the shaft 18. For example, the rotation of the shaft 18 may be 
used to power an automobile. 
The rotor 14 also comprises a compression eccentric 20 and a power 
eccentric 22 formed in the rotor 14. Each of these eccentrics are of a 
diameter smaller than the outer periphery of the rotor 14 and are 
tangential to the rotor 14 (the eccentric 20 is tangent at a tangential 
point 21, and the eccentric 22 is tangent at a tangential point 23, as 
shown in FIGS. 3b and 7b, respectively). Furthermore, the eccentrics 20 
and 22 are 180 degrees out of phase, such that 180 degrees separates the 
tangential point 21 from the tangential point 23. 
Two annular seals 24 and 26 are located on the periphery of the rotor 14 to 
seal pressures generated by the compression and power strokes within the 
housing 12. A seal between the housing 12 and rotor 14 is formed by 
closely held tolerances or a separate annular seal (not shown) can be used 
on the rotor 14 between the eccentrics 20 and 22 to seal the pressure 
across the rotor 14 between the eccentrics 20 and 22. 
An intake manifold 28 is connected to the housing 12 to allow gases (such 
as an air/fuel mixture) into the housing 12 through a bore 30. Gases 
entering through the intake manifold 28 may come from, for example, a fuel 
injector or a carburetor system 32. The bore 30 is aligned in the 
x-direction 34 with the compression eccentric 20, and has a width in the 
x-direction 34 less than the width of the eccentric 20. The orientation of 
the direction axis 34 is illustrated in FIG. 1. 
A rotating combustion chamber 36 rotates within a bore 38 in the housing 
12. As shown by the cutaway view of the rotating combustion chamber 36, it 
is divided into two distinct D-shaped chambers 37 and 39. 
FIGS. 2a and 2b show top and bottom views of the rotating combustion 
chamber 36. As shown in FIG. 2a, two ignition apertures 40 and 42 are 
formed in the top of the rotating combustion chamber 36. An ignition 
device, such as a spark plug 47 (see FIG. 1), ignites gases in each of the 
chambers 37 and 39 of the rotating combustion chamber 36 through the 
appropriate ignition aperture 40 or 42. A D-shaped slot is formed in the 
bottom of each of the two chambers of the rotating combustion chamber 36 
as shown in FIG. 2b, shown by references 44 and 46. The length of the 
slots 44 and 46 must be less than the distance between the compression 
eccentric 20 and the power eccentric 22, to ensure isolation of the 
pressures in those eccentrics. 
In operation, the rotating combustion chamber 36 transfers gases compressed 
in the compression eccentric 20 to the power eccentric 22. Gases enter and 
exit the chambers of the rotating combustion chamber 36 through the 
D-shaped slots 44 and 46. Gases exit the compression eccentric 20 through 
a slot 48 (see FIG. 1) formed from the bottom of the bore 38 in the 
housing 12 into the bore 16. The slot 48 is narrower in the x-direction 34 
than the eccentric 20 is in the x-direction 34. Gases are transferred to 
the power eccentric 22 from the rotating combustion chamber 36 through a 
slot 50. The slot 50 is formed in the housing 12 to permit gas flow from 
the bore 38 through the housing 12 into the bore 16. The slot 50 is 
narrower in the x-direction 34 than is the power eccentric 22. 
The rotating combustion chamber 36 rotates at one-half the speed of the 
rotor 14, and is driven by a bevel gear 52 mounted on a shaft 53. The 
shaft 53 also carries a gear 54, which is driven by the shaft 18. A 
bearing mounted on the housing 12 includes a top half or cap 56 and a 
bottom half 58 that supports the shaft 53 for rotation between the gear 54 
and the bevel gear 52. 
A combustion chamber head 60 is affixed to the housing 12 and houses the 
rotating combustion chamber 36 and the drive assembly. An aperture 62 is 
formed in the combustion chamber head 60 to receive the spark plug 47. 
An opening 64 extends radially through the housing 12 to the bore 16 in the 
same position in the x-direction 34 as power eccentric 22. The width of 
the opening 64 in the x-direction 34 is less than the width of the power 
eccentric 22 in the x-direction 34. 
A power gate or seal 66 projects through the opening 64 and contacts the 
surface of the eccentric 22. The surface of the power gate 66 that is in 
contact with the eccentric 22 is contoured so as to match the surface of 
the power eccentric at the time of power release, as will be described 
below. The power gate 66 is urged toward constant sliding contact with the 
power eccentric 22 through use of a spring 68, although other forces, such 
as hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical forces, could be used to perform the 
function of spring 68. The spring 68 in turn is mounted in a housing 70, 
which encloses the spring 68 and the power gate 66. 
A compression gate opening similar to aperture 64 (not shown in FIG. 1) 
extends radially through the housing 12 into the bore 16 to receive a 
compression gate or seal 72. The compression gate opening and the 
compression gate 72 are aligned with the compression eccentric 20. The 
compression gate 72 is located through the housing 12 in the same position 
in the x-direction 34 as the compression eccentric 20. The width of the 
unshown opening and the compression gate 72 in the x-direction 34 is less 
than that of the eccentric 20 in the x-direction 34. The surface of the 
compression gate 72 in contact with the eccentric 20 is contoured so as to 
match the surface of the eccentric 20 during full compression, as will be 
discussed below. The compression gate 72 is urged toward sliding contact 
with the eccentric 20 by a spring 74, which in turn is mounted in a 
housing 76. The housing 76 houses the compression gate 72 and the spring 
74. 
Two housing end plates 78 (only one shown in FIG. 1) are coupled to the 
ends of the housing 12 to seal the housing 12. Bearings (not shown) can be 
provided between the end plates 78 and the shaft 18, which extends there 
through, if desired. 
The operation of the rotary engine 10 will be best understood by reference 
to FIGS. 3a through 8b. FIGS. 3a through 6b illustrate the compression 
stroke of the rotary engine 10. In these figures, the rotor 14 rotates in 
a clockwise direction. Referring to FIG. 3b, gases (for example, an 
air/fuel mixture) enter the housing 12 through the intake manifold 28. As 
the eccentric 20 rotates, a space having a varying volume is created by 
the surfaces of the eccentric 20, the housing 12 and the compression gate 
72. As shown in FIG. 4b, the eccentric 20 has rotated such that complete 
intake has occurred. In FIGS. 3b and 4b, intake gases are represented by 
stippling. 
FIG. 5b represents the position of the eccentric 20 as compression begins. 
In FIG. 5b, the tangential point 21 of the eccentric 20 has rotated past 
the intake manifold, thereby trapping the gases in the space with varying 
volume formed by the side of the compression gate 72 nearest slot 48, the 
eccentric 20 and the housing 12. As the eccentric 20 continues its 
rotation, as shown in FIG. 6b, the gases are completely compressed when 
the tangential point 21 of the eccentric 20 nears the compression gate 72. 
As shown in FIG. 6b, the compression gate 72 is in full contact with 
eccentric 20. 
While the rotor 14 and the compression eccentric 20 are rotating, the 
rotary combustion chamber 36 also rotates as shown in FIGS. 3a, 4a, 5a, 
and 6a. As the rotary combustion chamber 36 rotates, the D-shaped slot 44 
passes over the slot 48 allowing compressed intake gases to enter into one 
of the chambers of the rotating combustion chamber 36, as shown in FIG. 
5a. As the rotating combustion chamber 36 continues its rotation, D-shaped 
slot 44 continues and completely passes over the slot 48, thereby 
completely receiving all of the compressed gas from the compression 
eccentric 20. This compressed gas is then ignited by the plug 47 as the 
ignition aperture 40 passes under the aperture 62. As the rotating 
combustion chamber 36 continues its rotation, the ignited gases are 
directed to the power eccentric side of the rotor 14 as shown in FIGS. 7a, 
7b, 8a and 8b. FIGS. 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b are "back" views with respect to 
FIGS. 3a-6b, such that the figures have been rotated 180.degree.. 
As the D-shaped slot 44 passes over the slot 50, the ignited gases expand 
into the variable volume space formed by the power gate 66, the eccentric 
22 and the housing 12. These combusting and expanding gases impart energy 
to the eccentric 22, thereby causing rotation. As the eccentric 22 and the 
rotor 14 rotate, the combusted gases are released through an exhaust port 
80 as shown in FIG. 8b, the stippling indicating exhaust through exhaust 
port 80 when tangential point 23 passes the exhaust port 80. 
Because the variable volume space formed by the power gate 66, the 
eccentric 22, and the housing 12 is relatively large, the efficiency of 
the rotary engine 10 is high. By using this relatively large space for gas 
expansion, rotary engine 10 takes advantage of much of the available 
energy from the expanding gases. 
In summary, a rotary engine is provided that comprises a rotor having two 
out of phase eccentrics, one for compression and the other for power. The 
rotating combustion chamber 36 transfers gases from the compression 
eccentric 20 to the power eccentric 22. These gases are ignited within the 
rotating combustion chamber 36 and the gases then expand into the space 
formed between the power eccentric 22, the housing 12, and power gate 66 
causing rotation of the rotor 14. 
Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be 
understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made 
hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as 
defined by the appended claims.