Patent GB-1044132-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in orbital engines
IPC: F02B75/02
Filed: 1964-04-21
Abstract: 1,044,132. Rotary I.C. engines, pumps, compressors and motors. A. E. BARSENBACH. April 21, 1965 [April 21, 1964], No. 16562/64. Heading F1F. An orbital machine, i.e., a pump, compressor, motor or I.C. engine having a member which traverses a circular path within a hollow casing without itself rotating, comprises an orbital member 1, Fig. 1, having parallel edges 2, 3 connected by convex curved edges 4, 5 freely mounted at its centre on a crank 7 of a driven or driveshaft 8 within a casing 6 of similar but larger profile. The throw of the crank is such that the member 1 never contacts the inner peripheral wall of the casing. The member 1 is slotted across opposite corners to receive pairs of vanes 9, 10 and 11, 12 arranged perpendicularly to each other, which extend the whole width of the casing, and protrude from the slots with their extremities in engagement with flat portions 13, 14, 15, 16 at the corners of the casing. As the member 1 orbits the vanes slide in their respective slots and the extremities thereof reciprocate over the flat portions to vary the volume of gastight chambers A, B, C, D between adjacent vanes. The tails 9a, 10a 11a, 12a, Fig. 3 (not shown) of opposite vanes are in abutting relationship with means provided for taking up wear. Sealing between the vane sides and the casing and between the vane extremities and the flat portions is achieved by mating pairs of caps 24, 25, Fig. 5 (not shown) snugly fitting the vane tips with each sealing face thereof associated with pairs of plates with a flat spring therebetween urging the outer plate into sealing engagement with the casing side or the flat portion as the case may be. Each outer plate is recessed and provided with perforations to reduce surface area contact between it and the casing and each inner plate with studs matching the perforations. Operating as a two-stroke I.C. engine, chambers A, C, Fig. 8, function as combustion chambers, each with its sparking-plug and exhaust ports 50 and chambers B, D as compression chambers. Each chamber B, D is fitted with a manifold 46 opening in the casing side into an arcuate port 44 which when mating with the end 43b of a passage 43 through the member 1 passes a gaseous fuel and air mixture to the chamber. As the member 1 orbits in the direction of the arrow the end 43b is closed to the port 44, the mixture compressed and on the co-operation of the end 43b with and arcuate port 45 transferred through a transfer passage 47, arcuate port 48 and a passage 49 in the member 1 to the chamber C where it is ignited to drive the member 1 and finally exhausted through the ports 50. When suction re-commences the ports 50 are still open to permit scavenging of the exhaust gases. To constrain the member 1 to perform an orbital motion the crank 7 may extend through the member and carry a pinion which meshes with a ring gear mechanically linked by a chain drive or other gears with the shaft 8. Alternatively a shoe member may be fixed by pins to one pair of vanes on a side of the member 1 remote from the crank 7 and be constrained to slide upon a bar at right angles to the vanes which is integral with or fixed to the casing side wall.