AN IMPROVED ROTARY ENGINE

Abstract: A rotary engine (12) composed of a stator (14), a rotor (60) sized for rotation within the stator (14), the rotor (60) including a shaft (46) extending from the stator (14) and supported by bearing means (50) (52) and a plurality of equiangularly spaced pistons reciprocably arranged within the rotor (60) and adapted for movement along chords of the rotor (60), and each of the pistons being connected to a guide structure for constraining the pistons to predetermine reciprocable movement paths through the phases of the intake, compression, power and exhaust between an inlet port station, an ignition station and compression station as well as the power stroke and exhaust.

Description: Description AN IMPROVED ROTARY ENGINE Background of the Invention: In the past there have been numerous types of rotary engines and this invention is of an improved rotary engine wherein there are pistons eguiangularly spaced with respect to one another and each aligned as a chord of the rotor and movable within the cylinder through the phases of intake, compression, power and exhaust to efficiently use combustible material and deliver power to a shaft for use in driving machinery or the like. In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter,, the instant inven¬ tion will now be described in,.several embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Description of the Drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the rotary engine of the present invention; Figure 2 is a vertical cross sectional view through the rotary engine of Figure 1 in an assembled condition; Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, illust¬ rating a somewhat modified first alternative form of the rotar .engine; Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1; Figure 5 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 7 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; O PI Figure 9 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 4 Figure 10 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and Figure 11 is a view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. Description of the Preferred Embodiment: Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a rotary engine generally designated by the numeral 12. It is composed of a stator indicated by the numeral 14. The stator defines an inner chamber 16 and an outer annular chamber 18. The stator has a dual wall 20 which defines the annular chamber 18 about the inner chamber 16, the latter being bounded by the dual wall 20. The dual wall on one side is spanned by a first disc portion 22. A second disc 24, spaced from the first disc, is removably attached to close the stator. It is secured by bolts 26 and 28 receivable in the holes 30 and 32 and the recesses 34 and 36, the same being threaded to accommodate this struc¬ ture. As shown in the drawings, each of the discs 22 and 24 has a central opening 36 and 38 which are aligned; and each preferably includes a laterally extending bushing or nose 40 and 42 to receive the rotatable shaft 46 with bearing means 50 and -52 providing for the rotation of the shaft relative to the stator. A rotor 60 is provided, the " same being sized for rotation within the chamber 16 with suit¬ able means being provided to key the rotor for rota¬ tion with the shaft, such as that designated by the numeral 62. Referring to the annular or dual wall 20 of the stator, it is seen that it includes a radial seat structure 70 which has a threaded bore to seat a spark plug such as that designated by the numeral 72 1fϋRΪ_ with the electrode 74 depthwise at about an opening into the chamber 16. Also, structure which provides an exhaust port means, which is preferably of a beehive construction and designated by the numeral 76, are illustrated and arranged at about 180 degrees displacement from the aforementioned spark plug seat, and preferably slightly more than 180 degrees. The exhaust port openings which are designated by the numeral 76 may comprise a plurality of pathways leading to a manifold 78 to conduct the exhaust gases - to a remote location. Inlet port means 80 preferably comprising a plurality of relatively closely adjacent but angularly spaced openings, such as 82, 84 and 86 in a duct work structure 88 are provided, the same being closely adjacent but angularly spaced from the exhaust ports designed, generally, by the numeral 76. The rotor 60 it is seen comprises a body having a generally cylindrical surface 90 and internal structure defining four cylindrical recesses, 92, 94, 96 and 98. Each of these cylindrical recesses is sized to receive a piston in slidable mating relation, as will be explained more fully hereinafter; and each are eguiangularly spaced from one another, so that the openings are 90 degrees with respect to one another. Further, each recess is characterized by a centerline which traces a cord of-the rotor config¬ uration. As seen in the drawings, the chords defined by the cylindrical recesses when extended as seen in elevation in Figure 2 define a square, the diagonals of which are slightly less than the radius of the cylindrical rotor surface 90, that is, the entrance mouth of each cylinder is slightly recessed relative to the cylindrical rotor surface 90. This defines shoulders with respect to each which will be referred to more fully hereinafter but at this juncture, one of which is designated by the numeral 100 for conven¬ ient reference hereinafter. As seen in cross section, the cylindrical recess structure of each piston, e.g., 92, has a wall portion such as 102 adjacent the surface of the rotor and an innermost wall portion 104, and each of these cylind¬ rical recesses terminates in spaced relation from the adjacent inner wall 104' of the adjacent cylindrical recess defining structure, which provides for a piston articulating clearance space as will be defined more fully hereinafter. A piston, such as 110, is provided in each cylindrical recess, each piston having a head such as 112 and a stem such as 114, the stem being pivotally connected as at 116 to the head for articulating movement of the head relative to the stem. As is conventional, each of the pistons is provided with sealing rings 117. The pistons are sized for recip- rocable movement within their associated cylindrical recess and it will be seen that the outer or exterior end of the head of each piston comprises an inclined plane 120, the heads of each of. the pistons being inclined at a common angle and each are oriented with respect to one another similarly. Each of the pistons is in 90 degree relation with respect to one another, that is, four cylinders and four associated pistons are eguiangularly spaced with respect to one another about the rotor. With further reference to the rotor seen in exploded relation in Figure 1, it is seen to be composed of a closed main face 128 and a removable disc-shaped face 130, the-latter being secured to the rotor by means of screws 132 receivable within the recesses 134 and 136. The removable disc 130 is provided with an enlarged central opening 138. A cam track lever guide of generally circular form and designated by the numeral 140 is sized to fit within the opening 138 and this cam track lever guide is fixed as at 142 to the disc 24. It will be seen that this lever guide has an opening therethrough 144 aligned with a corresponding opening 146 in the disc 24 for introducing oil into .the interior of the rotor 60. On the inner face of the cam track lever guide, which is fixed to the stator, there is provided a lever guide track generally designated by the numeral 160 which has a generally semi-circular portion 162 and an undulating portion 164 which has spaced convex portions 166 and 168 and an intermediate concave portion 170. Referring now to the pistons, and more parti¬ cularly to the stems thereof, a lever is provided which interconnects each of the stems, pivotally, to the cam track lever guide, the latter connection being effective to movingly captivate the inner end of each lever for rotation in tracking relation to the track. More specifically, each of the levers, such as that designated by the numeral 200 has a first end zone 202 and a second end zone 204, with the end zones of each being in angular relation to one another defining and elbow zone 206 of each. It is seen that each of the levers is of common configu¬ ration and the first end zone of each lever is pivot¬ ally connected as at 212 to the outer end of one of the pistons. Additionally, the second end zone 204 of each of the levers is in engagement with the cam ' track or lever guide in 90 degree relation with respect to one another. Each of the lever guides preferably is composed of a web 226 with outwardly projecting channel or track defining surfaces such as 228. Each of the webs at about their respective elbow zones, that is the zone between the first end zone and the second end zone of each, is pivotally connected to the stator as at 240. Finally, referring to the lower right portion of Figure 2, seal means are provided in the rotor in the recessed portion previously referred to and desig¬ nated by the numeral 100, and these seal means are designated by the numeral 101 and comprise annular members with an inner face and having an opening 103 which is preferably beveled as at 105. ' This defines a valve seat. The valve seat accommodates a valve 107 which is pivotally connected to the rotor as at j 109 and normally urged into seated relation with the surfaces 111 and 113 in closing relation of the opening 103. In operation, through the inlet means a combus- tile ' mixture generally designated by the arrowed 10 lines 200 is introduced through the ports 82, 84 and 86. As the rotor passes these openings, by reason of the lever in engagement with the piston stem and the cam lever guide, -the piston between the inlet ports and the spark plug will be caused to move to bottom - j r dead center in its cylindrical recess opening the pivotal valve and draws the combustile mixture into the cylinder, to be ignited by the spark plug 72. This tends to force the piston downwardly but, since it is not able to do so by reason of the lever guide, 2o circular motion is imparted to the rotor. It is thus seen that there has been provided a simple and inexpen¬ sive structure of a rotary engine. Generally speaking, it will be seen that this device comprises a circular block with cylinders and 25 pistons covered by a generally circular stator annular cooling chamber and an internal mechanism geared to obtain, the movements of intake, compression, power and exhaust. The rotating block is of circular shape and has in its interior a suitable number " of cylin- Q ders, preferably four, in the preferred embodiment, distributed according to the particular construction, such as one cylinder at zero degees, a second cylin¬ der at 90 degrees, a third cylinder at 180 degrees, and a fourth cylinder at 270 degrees. 35 The rotating block has a central shaft supported by suitable bearings which are within the device; and the rotating block has an oil reservoir means for providing lubrication within the rotor. The pistons are activated by different mechan¬ isms in the first two embodiments.illustrated, that of Figures 1-2, and that of Figure 3. Generally speaking, however, in each, similar structure is employed for a similarity of operations and the description with respect to common subject matter is not repeated. In the second preferred embodiment of Figure 3, the piston stem, such as 404 generally, is provided with a first outer portion 406 and a second inner portion 408 which are interconnected to one another at a pivot joint 410, comprising an elbow. This elbow is connected through a link or lever 412 to the cam track and captivated as designated by the numeral 414. In each of the preferred embodiments described above, the lever guide is a channel made in the shape of a cam lever guide on a steel web with a variable width diameter and•is attached to the cover of the device. Referring now to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5, there " is shown a rotary engine in a view similar to Figure 1, which engine is designated by the numeral 312. It includes a stator 314 with an inner chamber 316 and an outer annular chamber 318 which are defined by the dual wall 320. It also includes a rotor 360 and and the disk-shaped stator plate 324 secured as by the bolts 326. As seen in Figure- 5, it will be noted that there are two spark plugs provided 372 and 373 in angularly spaced holes 370 and 371. Preferably a plurality of dimples such as 300 and 301 arranged in a pattern are provided in the rotor confronting surface of the structure of the dual wall which surrounds the hole and faces the rotor. Referring to the annular rotor recesses about the cylinders, such as the recess 401, it is seen that it is provided with an annular seal 402 and in the mouth of each cylindrical recess a cone defining structure 403 is secured to the rotor as by the screws 405 defining a cone-shaped mouth 407 expanding or opening into the piston similajr structure, which is generally similar to that described above. The face of the piston is provided with a recess 411 f for the valve 409 to seat, which valve is pivotally c connected to the rotor as at 410 and it is spring urged as by the spring 411, of the leaf-type, into a normally closed position. The second spark plug is .for utilizing remaining gases effectively. The operation of this embodiment is as follows: As the 1Q . cylinders and pistons rotate past the intake means 480 the levers successively draw the pistons open, that is toward the bottom dead center position open¬ ing the valve and drawing combustible materials into the cylinder. As further rotation takes place the - f t- cam follower and lower structure generally will cause the piston to move to top dead center. In this top dead center position the piston at its upper left bears against the pivotable valve 407 unseating it. The gases are ignited by the spark plug driving the 2o rotor. A secondary ignition takes place when the piston passes the spark plug 373. This causes more complete combustion and reduces pollution. The embodiment shown in Figure 6 as do the remaining alternative embodiments also utilize the 2 cone-shaped entrance structure and the secondary spark plug, as illustrated, and a description of each embodiment with regard to common subject matter is not repeated. With respect to Figure 6, there is shown a 3 Q somewhat modified embodiment. In this embodiment there is structure for each piston and cylinder, such as that designated by the numeral 501 generally and which defines a housing having a surface such as 503 confronting the inner end of each cylindrical recess 35 structure and a surface 505 confronting the cam track. A hole 507 is provided in the surface 503 and a hole 509 is provided in the surface 505. The hole or opening 507 accommodates the stem of the piston as shown which has a headed end 511- A head 513 is also provided on the stem 514. It is thus seen that the housing or structure 501 defines a chamber 515 and 517 so that in response to the movement of the piston and tracking, changes in the pressure within the unit are utilized to cause a balancing of the operation of the device and transfer of power to the rotor. Referring to Figure 7, there is shown a somewhat modified device. Reference is made to the lever 601 and to the end 603 provided with the cam follower. The follower is spring-urged into engagement at all times with the cam surface by means of the spring 605 coiled about the * stem of each piston, such as that designated by the numeral 607. Plates 609 and 610 are utilized as bushings on the stem so that the spring ends are in bearing relation at all times. Referring to Figure 8, there is shown a somewhat modified embodiment wherein each of the levers, such as that designated by the numeral 701, is urged so that a cam follower such as 703 on each is at all times in engagement with the surface of the cam 705 by means of springs such as 707 exerting pressure at all times to maintain a cam track following relation¬ ship. One end of each spring bears against the cylindrical recess defining structure and the other end bears against the cam follower 703 end of each lever.' With respect to Figure 9, an articulated arrange¬ ment is shown analagous to the device shown in Figure 3; however, in this embodiment, a spring 806 with one end fixed as at 807 is connected as at 808 to the lever mechanism so that the cam follower 809 is at all times urged into engagement with the surface of the cam 810 and a stop means 811 is provided on the device to limit elbow type movement as illustrated in the drawings. As shown in Figure 10, this arrangement may be modified further in that a cam fo.ϊlower 910 is pro¬ vided in a track 911 is captivatingly secured into tracking relationship in a fashion somewhat similar to the previously described structure in Figure 3 with the exception that the segment 912 is curved as shown. The embodiment shown in Figure 11, illustrates hat the invention may include a suitable number of pistons, such as three. Also, in this arrangement, the lever segments 952 and 954 are pivotally connec¬ ted at an elbow 955 and the cam follower 956 is engaged in the track 957 as shown. In all case's, the operation of the device as set forth and described above accommodates the rotary action and the function and operation of the device as described. While the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be two practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the spirit and scope of this invention which are, therefore, not to be limited except as set forth in the claims which follow hereinafter. O PI

Claims: Claims 1. An engine comprising: a stator defining an annular chamber and said stator including, . an annular wall with a first end opening and a second end opening and defining an annular peripheral recess, a disc portion spanning the first wall opening, and 10 a disc spanning the second wall opening and removably attached to said stator, said disc portion and said disc having a central hole therethrough, a shaft extending through the annular -, 5 chamber and the disc portion and disc of said stator, bearing means between thφ stator and the shaft for rotation of the shaft relative to the stator, a rotor sized for rotation and within the stator, means to key the rotor to the shaft for rotation 0 with the shaft, said annular wall of said stator having a) a radial seat extending therethrough and a spark plug means seated in said seat, b) exhaust port means circumferentially . spaced about 180 degrees but not less than 180 degrees from said spark plug seat, and c) inlet port means circumferentially spaced and angularly adjacent said exhaust port means, 0 said rotor comprising, a body having a generally cylindrical face and internal structure defining a plurality of cylind¬ rical recesses eguiangularly spaced from one another, each of said recesses having a centerline and each of 5 said centerlines tracing a chord of the rotor, and the chords as seen in elevation defining a square, the structure about each cylindrical recess defining a wall portion adjacent the periphery of the rotor and an internal opposite wall portion and each structure terminating in spaced relation from one another defining a lever mechanism operating space within the rotor between the internal structure defining said cylindrical receέses, a piston in each cylindrical recess, and each of said pistons being sized for reciprocal movement within its associated cylindrical recess and each including, a) a head, b) a stem having an inner end and an outer end, and c) pivot means connecting the inner end of said stem and said head, said head of each piston having an exterior surface and said exterior surface comprising an inclined plane, generally, all of said pistons having said exterior surface oriented with respect to one another at a common angle, said rotor having a closed main face and a removable disc-shaped face, said removable disc-shaped face having a central opening, a cam guide means fixed to said stator, said guide .means having an inwardly facing guide surface defining a " path having a semi-circular portion and an undulating portion, said undulating portion compris¬ ing a first and a second convex portion and a concave portion intermediate said convex portions, oil"inlet means in the cam guide means to intro¬ duce oil into said rotor, force transmission means interconnecting said outer end of said piston in each cylindrical recess and said cam guide means and said force transmisson means including a cam and means at all times urging __ O PI said cam into operative engagement with said cam guide means, k seal means in the rotor about each cylindrical recess, a valve means recessed in the rotor in each cylindrical recess, and said undulating portion comprising means to move the piston stem to withdraw the piston into a cylind¬ rical recess when the head of each piston is between the inlet and the spark plug and effective to open - the valve means and draw combustible fluid into said cylindrical recess to be ignited by said spark plug. 2. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a second radial seat extends through said stator and a spark plug means is seated in said seat and said seat is located between said first mentioned seat and spark plug means and said exhaust port means. 3. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said force transmission means comprises a piston head on said outer end of said stem, and said cam includes a stem and a head on the distal end of said stem and a structure surrounding said stems at all time defin¬ ing a first and second angularly arranged head operat- ing portion for balancing pressures in operation. 4. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said force transmission means comprises said cam guide means including a cam track lever guide and a lever for each piston, each lever having a first end zone and a second end zone, and the first and second end zones of each lever being at a common angular relation with respect to one another, said levers being of common configuration, the first end zone of each lever being pivotally attached to the inner end of one of the pistons and the second end zone being rollingly captivated in the lever guide, said lever guide including means to captivate the second end zones of the levers and said means to captivate being spaced from one another angularly at 90 degrees at all times, pivot means interconnecting the levers between their respective first and second end zones to the stator. 5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said lever comprises an articulating means including a pivot intermediate the stem and said lever connects said pivot to said track. 6. The device, as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotor includes -'a rotor surface and structure about each cylindrical recess defining structure defining a cone-shaped entrance mouth, said cone- shaped entrance mouth extending in diverging relation generally radially inwardly into said cylindrical recess. 7. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein spring means are provided at all times urging said cam into cam follower relationship with said cam < 3 n±d - 8'. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spring means comprises a coil spring about said piston stem. 9. The device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said coil spring interconnects each of said levers and said structure defining said cylindrical recesses. 10. The device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said lever includes an arcuate portion, a straight portion and said spring interconnects said straight portion and said cylindrical recess defining

Inventors: MONCADA JAIME, MONCADA, JAIME
Applicants: MONCADA JAIME, MONCADA, JAIME
Application year: 1981
Main classification: F02B57
IPC codes: F01B9, F01B13, F02B57, F02B75