Single cycle rotary engine with constant fuel feeding

A single cycle, rotary combustion engine having constant fuel feeding. A circular housing defines an annular chamber through which a complementally curved pistonhead travels and works only upon the explosive or combustion stroke. A drive shaft is supported transversely of the housing, such that a piston rod extends radially from the drive shaft through an inner sealing drum so as to present the curved pistonhead within the annular chamber. Fuel and air are fed through the piston rod within the annular chamber via one or more ports in the trailing edge of the pistonhead. An ignition point and an expulsion port, mounted approximately 280.degree. from each other are sealed from one another by rotary means. The engine is characterized by its elimination of valves and reciprocating parts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(1) Field of the Invention 
Rotary engines, particularly single cycle rotary engines with constant fuel 
feeding, such that fuel admission, compression, explosion and expulsion 
are continuous. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention a housing defines an outer annular 
chamber, while supporting a transverse drive shaft at the core of the 
housing. A radially extending piston rod is attached to the drive shaft 
and includes a curved piston-head supported within the annular chamber for 
rotation through a circular cycle. The rod and head include interior 
channels for continuous feeding of fuel and air at the trailing edge of 
the head. A spark plug ignition point extends into the chamber at one 
point and at another point, substantially separated from said ignition 
point, an expulsion port is provided. Rotary means are provided for 
sealing the annular chamber intermediate the explusion port and ignition 
point, except as the curved pistonhead rotates through this sector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
All moving parts are operated by a rotary movement to the exclusion of 
every other type of movement, so that the motor functions with total 
regularity. The feeding of the combustible gaseous mixture under pressure 
is effected in a continuous fashion, without jolts or shocks. It does not 
work in the admission, compression or explosive cycles, but rather works 
only in the explosive sequence continuously, as the drive shaft rotates. 
Finally, feeding does not require any valves although the gaseous mixture 
is burned within a closed space. 
The engine may be employed in land, air and sea vehicles, as well as 
production units, for example, pumping or displacement of materials or 
with energy production such as electric alternators. 
Unlike piston engines now in use, in which the piston or pistons 
reciprocates within a straight cylinder, this entirely rotary engine is 
characterized by one or more curved pistons, the cross section of which 
may be circular, ovoid, or otherwise which is suitable for rotation within 
a tunnel or annulus having a corresponding fitted cross section. If we 
take as our example a single-piston engine of this type, then the piston 
moves with a total rotary movement and is connected by a radially 
extending rod to a central shaft, intended to transmit the driving force. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the constant admission of the feeding is effected 
through the hollow or grooved central shaft 4 and axially through the body 
of the hollow rod 3 as far as the piston 1 and then through openings 5 
made on the posterior side of the piston. The feeding is conducted to the 
engine under pressure with the aid of a compressor or some other means. 
Manifestly, the air and fuel are independently delivered or injected at a 
pressure exceeding the pressure of combustion, so as to prevent flash 
back. 
At least for starting, the ignition of the gaseous mixture must be induced 
for example, with the aid of a spark plug 6. 
In its rotating movement the piston carries along a cylindrical ring, or 
drum 7 which overlays the neck, making possible the passage of the rod 3 
through annular chamber or circular tunnel 2. The function of this 
cylindrical drum 7 is to ensure air and water tightness of the space in 
which the gaseous mixture is burned. Let us point out that even if the 
tightness is not total at this level, this will not result in any great 
inconvenience, for the tightness is completely secured, in any case, by 
the frame of rod 3 being closed on both sides by the housing walls 9. If 
prefered that cylindrical drum could be connected to the central shaft by 
spokes and a counter weight could be used on the drive shaft to 
equilibriate the weight of the pistonhead and rod. 
Conventional combustion engines known up to the present time and utilizing 
gas mixtures are either four cycle or two cycle engines, or the type 
called "rotative" Wankel, in which the four operations are repeated: 
admission--compression--explosion (only productive phase)--expulsion. 
The principle of the entirely rotary engine presented here is, on the 
contrary, that of a monocycle for only the power stroke comes into play. 
In fact, when the piston has made a complete turn, the burned gasses are 
found on the anterior side, and it drives them before itself as far as the 
expulsion opening 10, which constantly remains open and requires no valve. 
To obtain a good return it is necessary that the circular tunnel 2 in which 
the piston 1 moves be closed, starting with the passage of the piston 
beyond expulsion opening 10. This closing is effected by means of a 
grooved or indented drum or roller 11 with a diameter equal to the 
exterior diameter of the cylindrical rim 7 and having contact with the 
latter. It is driven around a suitable axle or shaft 12 with a rotary 
movement in the opposite direction from that of the cylindrical rim 7 and 
at the same speed, by means of a gearing device, a notched belt, or some 
other suitable arrangement connecting the central shaft with the drum 
shaft. The drum or roller 11 includes a groove (or indentation) 13 
sufficient to allow the passage of the piston upon each revolution. 
It is understood, of course, that opposite this grooved drum 11 the 
thickness of the neck 8 permitting the passage of the rod is reduced in 
accordance with a curved form having the same radius as drum 11 itself, 
until it becomes zero at the place where the grooved drum enters into 
contact with the cylindrical rim. 
The cooling may be obtained by water, air or any other fluid and may be 
lubricated conventionally. 
In FIG. 5 there is illustrated a conventional means of providing a flexible 
drive and a source of pressurization. A conventional air compressor 
designated 14 may be employed, together with a radiator or cooling unit 
15. An fuel pump 16 may be provided together with a rotary joint 17 which 
may be of a knee joint or bracelet type. 
FIG. 6 illustrates a suggested cooling system. The cooling fluid, water for 
example, is delivered to the piston through the hollow central shaft 4 and 
the hollow rod 3. After the cooling fluid has cooled the front face of 
piston 1, the cooling fluid flows back through rod 3 and then through 
central shaft 4. The conduit for supply of the fresh water 18 is 
illustrated as connected to a turning tube coaxially positioned within 
shaft 4 by means of rotary tight knee-joint 19. Upon return the warmed 
water is routed outside of the hollow shaft 4 by means of concentric 
bracelet type tight joint 20 which remains stationary as shaft 4 rotates. 
If necessary, the cooling water may be circulated by a pump. The same 
water may be re-used in a continuous circuit as in any conventional engine 
having a cooling radiator (not illustrated). 
Furthermore, and in order to obtain a better working temperature the 
outside of the annular chamber 2 is surrounded as illustrated by casing 21 
in which cooling water also circulates, as well as inside two spaces 22 
defined between annular chamber 2 and the cylindrical drum 7 on both faces 
of open neck guide 8. The cooling water may be circulated with a pump and 
cooled with a radiator (not illustrated). 
In case the exterior of the engine should be cooled with air, instead of 
water, casing 21 and spaces 22 could be replaced with gills or flanges 
(not illustrated). As illustrated in FIG. 8, casing 26 of the front face 
of the pistonhead could be modified with gills, such that forced air would 
be pumped through power shaft 4 and rod 3, instead of water. 
FIG. 7 illustrates water cooling and insulation of the front face of the 
piston, as well as the feeding of fuel and air through the back face of 
the same pistonhead. The air and the fuel are supplied separately; the 
fuel may be supplied through conduit 23 coaxially positioned inside the 
shaft and connected to the injection pump, thanks to a rotary tight joint, 
such as a knee joint. Conduit 23 may be connected to one or more injectors 
24 supported on the back face of the piston to spray the fuel. Pressurized 
air is delivered separately through the hollow shaft 4 and hollow rod 3 to 
one or more openings 25 defined on the back face of the pistonhead. 
Therefore, the mixture of the air with the fuel is done inside annular 
chamber 2 where the combustion has to take place. No flash back can take 
place nor has to be feared, as neither element can burn separately from 
the other element. 
Cooling of the front face of the piston with circulating water is proposed 
as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cooled water arrives adjacent the 
exterior face of the especially shaped flat casing 26. After the cooled 
water circulates along both sides of casing 26, as the water flows it will 
arrive to the central or axial portion from whence the water flows back 
through rod 3 and shaft 4 up to the radiator for re-cooling and re-cycling 
in continuous travel. 
Advantages of this type of rotary engine 
(1) All moving parts are driven by a rotary movement around shafts, rather 
than by alternating reciprocating eccentric, or other movements which are 
the source of vibrations and noises resulting in rapid wear and tear. 
(2) Numerous parts present in conventional two-cycle and four-cycle 
engines, some of which are difficult to manufacture, become entirely 
unnecessary, as, for example, crankshafts, rod bearings, camshafts, 
friction rollers, trip levers, rocker arms, springs, valves and the like. 
(3) Great simplicity and a construction cost definitely lower than that of 
comparable products. 
(4) Longevity likely as a result of rotary movement with its absence of 
vibrations. 
(5) Possibility of obtaining a high number of revolutions per minute 
without danger of breakage. 
(6) Smooth functioning, in comparison with the functioning of a "standard" 
reciprocating engine, and possible elimination of transmission gear cases. 
(7) Superior performance and reduced fuel consumption on account of the 
particular characteristics and the profitable operation of the 
single-cycle engine. 
(8) The possibility of using low-priced motor fuels, such as gasoline with 
a low octane rating, a gas-oil mixture, kerosene, vaporous gas or the 
like. 
(9) Less pollution because of the motor fuels used. 
(10) The possibility of limiting oneself to a few cylinder types to satisfy 
a wide variety of needs, for example, from small vehicles to trucks or 
ships, due to the fact that it is practicable to connect or join several 
rotary engines similar to the one described and with a single central 
shaft 4, in order to obtain greater power. 
(11) A not negligible gyroscopic effect which makes it possible to gain 
better stability in those cases where the wholly rotary engine is mounted 
on certain vehicles.