Patent GB-1121517-A (GB)
Title: Rotary combustion engine
IPC: F01C1/44
Filed: 1966-12-28
Abstract: 1,121,517. Gas turbine engines; rotary internal combustion engines. C.O. DIMMOCK. Dec. 28, 1966, No. 57988/66. Headings F1F and F1G. The invention relates to a rotary internal combustion engine which comprises a cylindrical stator structure 15 and a rotor member 17 rotatably supported therein. The stator structure has three combustion chambers 28 secured thereto at equi-angular spacing, the combustion chambers each co-operating with an opening 37 in the cylindrical wall of the stator, which opening may be closed by means of a flap valve member 42 pivotally mounted on the cylindrical wall at 46. The combustion chamber comprises also a duct 41 for supply of fuel and air mixture, a sparking plug 40, a cooling water jacket 34 and a scavenging valve 97. The peripheral wall of the rotor is formed with three recesses 60 each having a forward face 64 against which the combustion gas pressure acts to cause rotation of the rotor, a bottom wall 66 and side walls, a flap valve 67 being mounted at 68 at the rearward end of each recess, the flap valve being movable between a position in which it forms a continuation of the cylindrical face of the rotor periphery and a depressed position in which it is disposed adjacent the bottom wall 66 of the recess. The stator valve member 42 is urged by a spring means disposed about the pivot pin to the outer closed position and the rotor valve member 67 is also urged to the outer closed position by a compression spring 77 which is received in a recess 79 formed in the bottom wall 66 of the recess 60. A fuel and air mixture is supplied to the chamber 32 and when the rotor recess 60 is in alignment with the combustion chamber the charge is fired by the sparking plug 40. The resulting gas pressure forces the stator valve inwardly and the forward edge 51 of the stator valve engages the rotor valve 67 which is moved inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 3 against the loading of the spring 77. The combustion gases in the expansion chamber 160 act against the face 64 of the rotor recess and cause the rotor to rotate. The gases continue to expand in the chamber 160 until the rotor recess comes into alignment with the exhaust opening 83 through which the gases are discharged. The stator valve 42 and the rotor valve 67 are returned to their outer positions as the rotor rotates. The scavenge valve 97 is provided so as to release any combustion gases trapped in the combustion chamber 33 when the stator valve 42 closes. The valve is actuated by means of a cam 82 on the rotor periphery which engages a cylindrical plunger 102 which coacts with the valve stem 96. Means are provided for releasing air which is compressed beneath the rotor valve member 67 as the latter is urged to its lowermost position adjacent the bottom wall of the rotor recess 60. Such means comprises a spring-loaded relief valve 89 through which the air under pressure discharges through radial duct 88 and duct 27 in the rotor shaft 26 to a receiver where it may be utilized as the combustion supporting component of the mixture supplied to the chamber. Similarly a spring-loaded ball valve 87 is provided for admission of air to the space below the rotor valve 67 as the latter pivots outwardly to its outermost position. Sealing means are provided at the forward and side edges of the stator valve member 42, also at the forward and side edges of the rotor valve member 67, and a seal member 81 is carried by the rotor just forward of the rotor recess 60, the seal member engaging against the inner cylindrical surface of the stator, the sealing arrangements being described in detail. The engine may comprise other than three combustion chambers and other than three rotor recesses.