Rotary valve system for motors and the like having improved sealing means

A rotary valve system for a motor and the like includes a flow conduit and rotary valve means interposed in the flow conduit. Intermittent sealing means are provided for preventing flow through the flow conduit, comprising a sealing surface intermittently positionable in stationary, sealing relationship across the conduit. Means are also provided for moving the sealing surface into such stationary sealing relationship with the flow conduit, and out of sealing relationship with the flow conduit in a manner correlating with the operation of the rotary valve means, to facilitate sealing as the valve operates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
In the search for improvements in the operation of internal combustion 
engines, many attempts have been made to replace the conventional poppet 
valves of an engine cylinder with rotary valves. One such attempt is 
illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 1,692,396. Another, more recent, engine 
design utilizing rotary valves is shown in an article by David Scott, 
relating to a cruciform engine, beginning on page 78 of the July, 1975 
issue of Popular Science. 
These, however, are merely exemplary of hundreds of patents and articles 
relating to the use of rotary valves in engines. 
Rotary valves have been considered to have significant advantages over the 
conventional poppet valves for an engine cylinder because they can operate 
more rapidly, reducing the problem which can be found in high speed poppet 
valve engines, in which the poppet valve actually can tend to run behind 
the remainder of the engine, the valve return springs being inadequate to 
cause them to keep up with the operation of the engine at an extremely 
high RPM rate. 
Also, the maximum compression of an engine must be limited so that the 
piston at top dead center position does not strike the open poppet valve. 
If one desires to increase the compression beyond such a level, it would 
be desirable to use rotary valves. 
Furthermore, in many designs of rotary valves, a single port, functioning 
as both fuel inlet and exhaust gas outlet, can be provided to the 
combustion cylinder. This reduces the extremely high temperatures of the 
exhaust valve in a conventional poppet valve engine, reducing the 
possibility of preignition upon compression of the fuel mixture prior to 
firing. 
Rotary valves also require less energy to operate than poppet valves, 
increasing the energy output of the engine. 
However, despite the various significant potential advantages that a rotary 
valve system can be expected to have in an internal combustion engine, 
they have not come into commercial use, largely because rotary valves tend 
to leak if they are loose enough to permit free rotation, but they may 
seize if they are tight enough to contain the combustive pressures 
generated in the combustion chamber. To date, there appears to have been 
proposed no effective way to seal rotary valves in such a manner that the 
leakage of fuel vapors and exhaust gas is prevented to such a degree over 
the long term that the commercialization of a motor using a rotary valve 
system would be feasible. 
In accordance with this invention, a rotary valve system having an 
auxiliary sealing mechanism is provided, particularly for sealing of the 
combustion chamber during compression and ignition states of motor 
operation. 
As a result, the rotary valve itself no longer has to perform a significant 
sealing role against the pressures of the combustion chamber, but may 
simply work as a metering device for fuel and exhaust gas at relatively 
ambient pressures. Thus, the problem of rotary valve seizing can be 
eliminated, since the critical sealing functions are provided by other 
means. 
Thus, the many advantages of the rotary valve may be utilized in motors 
designed in accordance with this invention. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
In this invention, a rotary valve system for a motor and the like is 
provided, including a flow conduit for fuel and exhaust, and rotary valve 
means interposed in the flow conduit. 
In accordance with this invention, intermittent sealing means are provided 
for preventing flow through the flow conduit. These intermittent sealing 
means comprise a sealing surface intermittently positionable in 
stationary, sealing relationship across the conduit. Also, means are 
provided for moving the sealing surface into the aforesaid stationary, 
sealing relationship with the flow conduit, and out of such sealing 
relationship with the flow conduit, in a manner correlating with the 
operation of the rotary valve means, to provide intermittent sealing at 
appropriate moments as the valve operates. 
Accordingly, when the rotary valve utilized in this present invention 
occupies a position to block the flow of material to or from the 
combustion chamber, the intermittent sealing means can be adapted to 
occupy its stationary, sealing relationship across the flow conduit, 
typically at the entrance to the combustion chamber, to seal the chamber. 
When the rotary valve means is in open position, to either inject fuel 
vapors into the combustion chamber or to permit the withdrawal of exhaust 
gas, the intermittent sealing means is adapted to be out of sealing 
relationship with the conduit, to permit communication through the rotary 
valve into or out of the combustion chamber. Thus, as the valve rotates to 
alternatingly open and close the fuel inlet and exhaust gas outlet, the 
intermittent sealing means can also be moved back and forth into 
corresponding open and sealing positions as the function of the motor 
dictates. 
One particular advantage of this present invention lies in the fact that 
the intermittent sealing means provides a stationary seal of the 
combustion chamber, while the rotary valve may at the same time continue 
in constant rotary motion during the operation of the engine. A stationary 
seal between unmoving surfaces results in much less wear of the sealing 
parts, when compared with a seal involving relatively moving surfaces. 
Also, a stationary seal can provide more effective high pressure sealing. 
This results in greater sealing reliability and life of the sealing parts. 
Typically, several rotary valve systems as described above may be 
positioned in linear array, and operated by a common control shaft means, 
which may particularly be a camshaft as described below. Also, the several 
rotary valves in this linear array of rotary valve systems may all be 
defined by a single, rotatable shaft member, for simplicity of 
construction of motors in accordance with this invention, and for 
permanently determining the proper operating sequence of the various valve 
systems. 
If desired, this invention can be used in conjunction with motors having 
separate inlet and outlet valves, as well as in other high pressure fluid 
handling apparatus besides motors.

Referring to the drawings, a portion of a motor 10 is illustrated. Motor 10 
may be of entirely conventional design, except as otherwise indicated. The 
particular embodiment shown comprises an iternal combustion engine having 
four reciprocating piston and cylinder assemblies or combustion chambers 
12, which may be of conventional construction. The piston and cylinder 
assemblies include a reciprocating piston 13 which may be connected to a 
crankshaft 15 in a usual manner. However, while the invention of this 
application can be used with conventional piston, cylinder, and crankshaft 
assemblies, it is specifically contemplated that the invention of this 
application can be used in conjunction with a piston, cylinder, and 
crankshaft arrangement similar to that illustrated in U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 578,805, filed May 19, 1975, now U.S. Pat. No. 
3,985,114 by myself, in order to achieve the advantages of this present 
invention in conjunction with the advantages of the invention described in 
that application. 
The invention of this application can be used with diesel, two-cycle, 
four-cycle engines, and the like, but the drawings illustrate, for 
exemplary purposes, a fourcycle engine. 
Each piston and cylinder assembly includes a neck portion 20 of the 
cylinder, having an open top, with a spark plug 22 being transversely 
mounted in each neck portion 20. 
This particular shape of combustion chamber can provide the advantages of a 
stratified charge arrangement, since fuel vapor will tend to be 
concentrated in the upper portion of neck portion 20 of the combustion 
chamber. This permits operation of the engine with a very lean fuel 
mixture. Also, it is believed that this particular shape can tend to 
suppress knock or preignition. 
Piston and cylinder assemblies 12 can be defined by retainer 26, neck 
portions 20 being defined by a block 28, which may contain flow channels 
30 defined through it. Channels 30 permit the flow of liquid coolant, to 
reduce the peak combustion temperatures of the combustion chamber, and 
accordingly to reduce the possibility of knocking as well as to reduce the 
generation of nitrogen oxide pollutants. 
To define each valve assembly 35, bed 32, having aperture 33, is affixed to 
the top of block 28 in a position to permit moveable valve plate 34 to be 
in sliding contact with bed 32. Valve plate 34 and bed 32 define curved, 
matching, facing surfaces to permit valve plate 34 to slidingly 
reciprocate back and forth on bed 32 with rocking motion, as shown in FIG. 
2. 
Valve plate 34 defines an aperture 36, which is positioned to be in 
registry with aperture 33 and neck portion 20 in a first rocking position 
of valve plate 34 (as in FIG. 2a), and to be out of registry with aperture 
33 and neck portion 20 in a second rocking position, as shown in FIG. 2, 
so that an unbroken sealing surface 38 is positioned across the open top 
of neck portion 20. This latter position permits obstruction of fluid 
communication into or out of the combustion chamber, and acts to seal it 
during the compression and combustion phases of the engine. 
Valve plate 34 is attached at one end to rocker arm 40 by bolts 39 or the 
like, and is slidingly retained at its other end by prongs 41 of the 
rocker arm 42, in a manner to permit a slight amount of bending axial 
motion of valve plate 34, relative to arm 42. 
Rocker arms 40, 42 are pivotally attached to pivot shaft 44, serving as 
fulcrum for their rocking motion. Camshaft 46 is positioned between arms 
40, 42, and carries cams 48, 50 (see FIG. 4) which bear respectively 
against bearing members 52, 54, which are carried respectively by arms 42, 
40. Accordingly, as camshaft 46 rotates, cams 48, 50 are positioned to 
cause arms 40, 42, and valve plate 34, to reciprocate back and forth with 
rocking motion, with a positive desmodromic action which is preferably 
governed solely by the rotational position of the camshaft, and not by 
springs or the like. Hence, the abovementioned first rocking position, 
where aperture 36 is aligned with neck portion 20, is brought about by one 
rotational position of camshaft 46, and the second rocking position by 
another camshaft rotational position. 
Each rotary valve assembly 56 comprises a valve block 58, one for each 
piston and cylinder assembly 12, each defining an aperture 60, through 
which rotary valve member 62 passes, plus a bottom aperture 61 for 
communication with aperture 36 in the first rocking position. 
In this particular embodiment, rotary valve rod member 62 is defined by a 
single rod, terminating with a gear 64, passing through all of the valve 
blocks 58. Gear 64 meshes with terminal gear 65, mounted on camshaft 46, 
so that the rotation of valve rod member 62 is also controlled by and 
synchronized with the rotation of camshaft 46. Cog pulley 67 is also 
attached to camshaft 46 for rotation thereof, and is driven by cog belt 
69, which in turn is driven by rotating crankshaft 15. 
Valve rod member 62 defines, as shown in FIG. 1, a series of inlet ports 66 
for passing fuel vapors to the piston and cylinder assemblies 12, and a 
series of exhaust ports 68, for carrying exhaust gas away from the 
cylinders in the exhaust stroke of the piston. An inlet port 66 and an 
exhaust port 68 are each provided for each valve block 58 and are 
positioned to communicate through bottom aperture 61, in the first rocking 
position, with neck portion 20 of the combustion chamber, when valve rod 
member 62 is in a predetermined rotational position. 
Each inlet port 66 and exhaust port 68 leads longitudinally along valve rod 
member 62, being enclosed within the valve rod member, breaking at both 
ends through the sides of the valve rod member. Ends 66e of the inlet 
ports and ends 68e of the outlet ports are shown in FIG. 1. Ends 66e, 68e 
of each inlet and exhaust port occupy longitudinally displaced positions 
along valve rod 62, which positions are also circumferentially spaced as 
well as longitudinally spaced on valve rod 62. One of the ends of ports 
66, 68 communicate with aperture 61 in various, predetermined rotational 
positions of valve rod 62. 
The degree of circumferential spacing of the respective ends of ports 66, 
68 can be defined by an angle of about 90.degree., as shown in FIG. 1, but 
other circumferential spacings can be used as desired. 
The other set of ends of ports 66, 68, which are longitudinally spaced from 
apertures 61, communicate respectively with fuel inlet ports 70 and 
exhaust manifold ports 72, when valve rod member 62 occupies a rotational 
position permitting communication of the other end of the respective port 
through bottom aperture 61 into neck portion 20. Inlet ports 66 
communicate in this circumstance with their associated inlet manifold 
ports 70. Exhaust ports 68 communicate with their associated exhaust 
manifold ports 72. While this takes place, valve plate 34 will occupy its 
first rocking position. 
As valve member 62 rotates in registry with the rotating camshaft 46, cams 
48 and 50 are adjusted to cause each set of rocker arms 40 and 42 to place 
aperture 36 of valve plate 34 into the first rocking position, that is: 
registry with neck portion 20 of the combustion chamber 12, at the same 
time that each inlet port 66 assumes a rotational position to permit 
communication between each combustion chamber 12, through the inlet port 
66, to the inlet manifold port 70. Aperture 36 remains in registry with 
neck portion 20 while valve member 62 rotates into another rotational 
position to permit communication from the combustion chamber through 
exhaust port 68 to exhaust manifold port 72. This situation occurs during 
the intake and exhaust cycles of operation. 
In another part of the cycle of operation of the engine, camshaft 46 causes 
arms 40, 42 to move aperture 36 away from neck portion 20 to the second 
rocking position, specifically during the compression and combustion 
cycles of operation. Correspondingly, the inlet and exhaust ports 66, 68 
are generally not in a position of registry with bottom aperture 61 at 
this time of the operation. 
Also, during the compression and combustion phases of the cycle of 
operation of the motor of this invention, additional cams 74, 76, mounted 
on camshaft 46, press against an adjustable-height frame 78, attached to 
valve block 58. The action of cams 74, 76 depresses valve block 58 against 
valve plate 34, in its second rocking position, to provide reinforcing 
sealing pressure of valve plate 34 against bed 32 during the compression 
and combustion phases of the motor operation. 
Cams 48, 50 are proportioned to prevent rocking movement of arms 40, 42 
during this phase. After the combustion stroke is complete, further 
rotation of camshaft 46 causes cams 74, 76 to release the pressure on 
frame 78, allowing block 58 to rise as in FIG. 2a, impelled by springs 85, 
mounted on pillow blocks 81 as shown in FIG. 4. 
The amount of motion imparted by cams 74, 76 to block 58, to move the block 
into engagement with the valve plate 34, may preferably be a total 
distance of only about 0.01 to 0.03 inch, for example about 0.015 inch, 
for minimal expenditure of energy. 
Aperture 60 in block 58 is made slightly oval, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2a, 
to accomodate the up and down motion of block 58 without requiring 
corresponding up and down motion of valve member 62. 
The ends of each aperture 60 may be conventionally sealed with shaft seals 
63 or the like, positioned about valve rod 62, to block any low pressure 
leakage from the ends of aperture 60. 
Adjustable-height separate plate member or frame 78 is carried by bolts or 
set screws 80, which are set in valve block 58. The purpose of frame 78 is 
to permit vertical adjustment of the position of valve block 58 against 
valve plate 34 to the desired amount, and to provide a means for 
adjustment to suit the individual requirements of the engine, as well as 
to permit adjustment as the engine wears. 
Each valve assembly 35 of valve block 58, arms 40, 42, and the like is 
separated from its adjacent assembly by a pillow block assembly 81, 
comprising a set of pillow block members 82, 84, 86. Block members 82, 84, 
86 define apertures 88, 90, 92 to receive, respectively, valve rod member 
62, camshaft 46, and pivotal shaft 44. Also, the pillow block members 82 
(as illustrated in FIG. 3) each define an inlet manifold port 70 or an 
exhaust manifold port 72, for communication with a section of valve rod 
member 62, within the pillow block member, which defines one end of an 
inlet port 66 or an exhaust port 68. 
It will be noted in FIG. 3 that various arms of both inlet manifold port 70 
and exhaust manifold port 72 serve two piston and cylinder assemblies 12 
and their associated valve assemblies 35. This is accomplished by having 
the associated inlet ports 66 of two adjacent valve assemblies 35 lead to 
the same inlet manifold port 70. Correspondingly, the exhaust ports 68 of 
two adjacent valve assemblies 35 lead to the same exhaust manifold port 
72. 
Specifically, exhaust port 68 of valve assembly 35a leads to the exhaust 
manifold port 72 of pillow block 81a, while the corresponding inlet port 
66 leads to an inlet manifold port 70 in pillow block 81b. The exhaust 
port 68 for valve assembly 35b leads to exhaust manifold port 72 in pillow 
block 81c, while its inlet port 66 leads to the inlet manifold port 70 in 
pillow block 81b. The exhaust port 68 of valve assembly 35c leads to 
exhaust manifold port 72 in pillow block 81c, while its inlet port 66 
leads to inlet manifold port 70 of pillow block 81d. The exhaust port 68 
of valve assembly 35d leads to exhaust manifold port 72 in pillow block 
81e, while its inlet port leads to inlet manifold port 70 in pillow block 
81d. 
Other arrangements of exhaust and inlet manifold systems can, of course, 
also be utilized as desired by the user. However, one will note that the 
inlet manifold system shown is desirably symmetrical in shape, and thus 
provides an essentially equal flow of fuel vapors to each system and 
cylinder assembly 12. 
Fuel inlet 73 leads to inlet manifold ports 70 from the carburetor, while 
exhaust outlet 75 leads to the muffler, if any, and then to the exterior. 
The construction of pillow blocks 81a through e is illustrated by pillow 
block 81 in FIG. 4, being shown to be held together and attached to block 
28 by bolts 87, 89. 
An auxiliary sealing system 94 is typically provided in valve plate bed 32, 
as shown in FIGS. 5 through 9. 
An annular groove 96 is positioned about aperture 33 in valve plate bed 32. 
Split ring 98 is positioned within groove 96, defining a split space 100. 
Insert 104 fits across space 100 to seal it. Skirt 106 of insert 104 fits 
under ring 98 in a deepened portion 105 of groove 96, as shown in FIG. 8, 
which is proportioned to receive skirt 106. 
Space 100 permits a small variance of the dimensions of split ring 98, as 
it moves to a slight degree, and expands and contracts due to temperature 
changes and dynamic conditions. 
Split ring 98 rests upon a corrugated wave ring 108 that serves as a spring 
member, and defines split 109 of similar dimension to space 100. 
Corrugated wave strip 111 fits in deepened portion 105 of groove 96, under 
skirt 106. Accordingly, as valve plate member 34 is pressed down upon bed 
32, a focused pressure seal will be created against the underside of valve 
plate member 34 by split ring 98 and insert 104, while those members will 
be pushed downwardly into recess 96, against the resisting spring bias 
action of wave ring 108 and strip 111. 
The usual maximum amount of depression or the clearance 110 of members 104, 
98 may be on the order of 0.015 inch, similar to the amount of depression 
of valve block 58 by cams 74, 76. Upon engagement with the valve plate 
member in stationary sealing relationship in the second rocking position, 
members 104, 98 will preferably be pushed downwardly to be flush with the 
surface of valve bed 32, to facilitate the momentary, stationary sealing 
action during each compression and combustion cycle of the engine. 
When valve plate 34 is moving in the intermittent rocking motion described 
previously, split ring 104 and insert 98 are preferably proportioned to 
scrape against the underside of plate member 34, to wipe away oil and 
prevent it from passing into aperture 33. 
Similarly, wiper members 112 comprise transverse channels 114, as shown in 
FIG. 6, containing a floating blade 116, supported by a wave spring member 
such as corrugated strip 118. Flow channels 120 communicate with 
transverse channels 122, to allow for the flow of oil wiped by blades 116 
transversely through channels 120, 122 to the lower edge of valve plate 
bed, through exit ports 125. From there, the oil can be collected as 
desired and recycled to the oil pan in conventional manner, as part of an 
oil lubrication system which shall be described below. 
Wiper assemblies 112 thus exhibit the same biased resilience, with blades 
116 typically normally projecting upwardly above the surface of valve bed 
32 about 0.015 inch, similarly to split ring 98, to provide further oil 
sealing action for aperture 33. 
For oil sealing of the upper surface of valve plate 34, annular ring 119 is 
provided about aperture 36, being of construction similar to annular ring 
sealing system 94 about aperture 33. 
Projecting portion 121 of valve block 58 is positioned to overlie in the 
second rocking position those portions of annular ring 119 which lie 
beyond the main portion of valve block 58, so that a continuous oil seal 
is provided about aperture 36. 
Resilient spring member 124 is for the purpose of biasing the free end of 
valve plate 34 upwardly, to lift it off of valve bed 32 as shown in FIG. 
2a when valve plate 34 is not being biased downwardly through the pressure 
imparted by valve block 58 and cams 74, 76. This reduces the friction of 
the rocking motion of valve plate 34 between the first and second rocking 
positions. 
Spring member 124 is slidingly mounted on a pair of pins 126, and is biased 
upwardly by a spring device 128. Spring member 124 also carries one or 
more rollers 130 upon which the valve plate member rides. 
A specific cycle of operation of piston and cylinder assemblies 12, and 
their associated valve assemblies 35, is as follows: 
As shown in FIG. 2, one piston 13 is illustrated to be in its top dead 
center position, immediately prior to the ignition phase of the engine 
cycle. Preferably, the compression ratio of the system is in excess of 10 
to 1, for most efficient operation, although lower compression ratios are 
also effectively useable. 
As shown in FIG. 2, valve block 58 is pressing against valve plate 34, 
impelled by the action of cams 74, 76. In turn, valve plate 34 is pressing 
against valve bed 32, providing a stationary, high pressure seal against 
the pressurized fuel vapors in neck portion 20. In particular, a focused 
pressure seal is created by sealing system 94. 
During the operation of the engine, valve rod member 62 and camshaft 46 may 
be in constant rotary motion. However, cams 48, 50 are proportioned so 
that, during the compression and ignition phases of the cycle, arms 40, 42 
and valve plate 34 are stationary, to provide the desired stationary seal. 
Upon actuation of spark plug 22 to create a spark, ignition of the fuel 
vapors in neck portion 20 takes place, driving piston 13 downwardly, and 
imparting torque to crankshaft 15 either by conventional means, or means 
described in detail in my co-pending application cited above. Accordingly, 
piston 13 advances to the bottom dead center position, at which time the 
ignition phase of the engine cycle is ended. 
Typically, before the end of the ignition phase, (e.g. 70.degree. prior to 
bottom dead center position) camshaft 46 has rotated sufficiently to cause 
cams 74, 76 to release their pressure on valve block 58. Accordingly, 
valve block 58 rises (typically by about 0.015 inch) to release its 
pressure against valve plate 34, which accordingly also rises 
approximately a similar distance, assisted by spring member 124. 
Typically before bottom dead center position (e.g. 60 degrees before) the 
further rotation of camshaft 46 causes cam 48 to begin to exert pressure 
on bearing member 52, driving rocker arms 40 and 42 (which may be separate 
or connected pieces) to the left as illustrated in FIG. 2, to the first 
rocking position indicated in dotted lines therein, and more specifically 
shown in FIG. 2a. As described previously, in this position, off center 
aperture 36 of valve plate 34 enters into registry with aperture 61 and 
the open top of neck portion 20. Piston 13 begins to be impelled upwardly 
toward top dead center position again by crankshaft 15. 
Also, the associated exhaust port 68 in valve rod member 62 enters into 
registry with aperture 61, as well as its associated exhaust manifold port 
72, so that the upward stroke of piston 13 causes exhaust to be expelled 
through aperture 36, exhaust port 68, and exhaust manifold port 72. 
As the piston 13 reaches top dead center position once again, the 
continuous rotation of valve rod member 62 within valve block 58 causes 
inlet port 66 to enter into registry with apertures 61 and 36, with the 
other end of inlet port 66 coming into registry with the associated inlet 
manifold port 70. During this period of time, valve plate 34 and rocker 
arms 40, 42 remain generally stationary, despite the continuing rotation 
of camshaft 46. This is accomplished by appropriate shaping of cams 48, 
50. 
Accordingly, new fuel enters neck portion 20 from inlet manifold port 70 
through inlet port 66 and apertures 61 and 36, impelled by the suction of 
piston 13 as it travels once again from top dead center to bottom dead 
center position in the intake phase of the engine cycle. 
Typically after piston 13 reaches bottom dead center position again (e.g. 
60 degrees after bottom dead center position) the continuing rotation of 
camshaft 46 causes cam 50 to begin to exert pressure against bearing 
member 54, causing rocker arms 40, 42 and valve plate 34 to abruptly shift 
once again to the second rocking position, in which aperture 36 is no 
longer in registry with aperture 61 and neck portion 20. 
As piston 13 rises again in the compression phase of the motor's cycle of 
operation, cams 74, 76 once again depress block 58, to once again force 
valve plate 34 into sealing engagement with bed 22. Rocker arms 40, 42 and 
valve plate 34, as stated before, remain stationary during the sealing 
phase. Piston 13 continues to rise to top dead center position, at which 
point maximum compression of the fuel is achieved. Then, at an appropriate 
time, spark plug 22 ignites the fuel mixture. 
Typically, valve rod member 62 rotates once every complete engine cyle. 
The design of this invention reduces the possibility of "hot spots" in the 
engine, avoiding a preignition site for the fuel prior to the appropriate 
time of ignition as dictated by spark plug 22. Thus, the motor can operate 
with lower octane fuel and at a higher compression ratio without 
encountering as great a danger of preignition as is found in conventional 
motors. 
Each of the valve systems 35a, b, c, and d operate in the aforesaid manner, 
but the respective inlet ports 66 and outlet ports 68 are positioned on 
valve rod member 62 so that the cycles of operation of each respective 
valve system 35 are displaced in this embodiment by 90.degree. of rotation 
of the valve rod member 62 from the cycle of operation of the immediately 
preceeding valve system 35. Valve rod member 62 rotates in direction R. 
For each valve block 58, the associated inlet and outlet ports 66, 68 are 
preferably so arranged that pairs of port ends 66e, 68e of ports serving 
the same valve block occupy the same circumferential position on valve rod 
62, as shown in FIG. 3. Each pair of ends 66e, 68e is preferably 
circumferentially displaced about valve rod 62 by about 90.degree. from 
the other pair of ends of the same ports. 
In one specific mode of operation, when camshaft 46 and valve rod member 62 
are in a rotational position so that the valve system 35a is just 
beginning the compression phase; valve system 35c is simultaneously 
beginning the intake phase; valve system 35d is simultaneously beginning 
the exhaust phase; and valve system 35b is simultaneously beginning the 
ignition phase. Inlet ports 66 and exhaust ports 68 of valve rod member 
62, as well as cams 48, 50, 74, and 76 may be appropriately positioned to 
achieve this result, which is as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the engine 
after 270.degree. of rotation of valve rod member 62 beyond the position 
of FIG. 1, so that, for example, valve system 35a is in the intake phase. 
Each valve assembly 35 may be lubricated as follows. Shaft 44 may be 
hollow, and may be connected to a source of pumped oil such as conduit 135 
from the oil pan. Alternatively, conduit 135 may pass through the pillow 
blocks. 
One or more ports 136 are positioned above each set of cams 48, 50, 74, 76 
so that oil falls freely on the camshaft, lubricating the bearing surfaces 
between the cams and bearing members 52, 54, as well as the bearing 
surfaces of cams 74, 76 against frame 78. From there, the oil spills over 
block 58 to valve plate 34, to lubricate the surface between block 58 and 
valve plate 34. 
Simultaneously, oil can pass into passage 138 from depression 137 in block 
58, to lubricate valve rod member 62 rotating in aperture 60. Scraper 
blade 139 is provided at the end of passageway 138 where oil is placed on 
valve rod 62, to prevent oil from passing into aperture 61. Second scraper 
blade 141 removes excess oil from rotating valve rod 62 to prevent it from 
passing into aperture 61. The groove in which scraper blade 141 resides 
may be open to the exterior, so that excess oil spills out from the sides 
of block 58. Scraper blades 139, 141 may be similar in construction to 
wiper assemblies 112 described previously. 
Oil passes from the top of valve plate 34 through apertures 144, 146 to the 
underside of valve plate 34. Oil passing through aperture 144 may be 
collected on strip 148, which may be attached to bed 32 as shown in FIG. 
2. Accordingly, as valve plate 34 rocks back and forth on bed 32, oil 
retained by strip 148, and oil passing through aperture 146, are spread 
along the junction between plate 34 and bed 32 for lubrication thereof, 
except where prevented by wiper assemblies 112 and sealing system 94. 
Oil collected in channel 114 of wiper assemblies 112 passes out of 
apertures 125 at the bottom of bed 32, from where the oil can be collected 
by apertures 140 and conduits 142, through block 28 for recycling to the 
oil pan. 
Accordingly, the present oil system may basically be a gravity feed system 
for each valve assembly 35. 
Other conventional oiling means can be provided for necessary or desired 
areas, for example, for the lubrication of rotating members 46 and 62 in 
the pillow blocks 81, and the like. 
The above described apparatus illustrates a valving system which is 
specifically shown for use in conjunction with a four-cylinder, four-cycle 
engine, but can be easily adapted for use with engines of any number of 
cylinders and of any desired firing order, or with other types of engines 
besides the four-cycle, piston and cylinder engine. 
The above has been offered for illustrative purposes only, and is not for 
the purpose of limiting the scope of this invention, which is as defined 
in the claims below.