Abstract:
An internal combustion engine having inline opposing pistons stationarily mounted to a frame. A finned cylinder having a divider therein forming two chambers reciprocates upon the two stationary pistons during operation of the engine to provide power to a device requiring translational or rotational power connected externally. Optionally, the pistons can be formed of front and rear components with the front component being replaceable by mounting it to the rear. A case mounted about the exterior can be vented by an impeller to cool the finned cylinder along with lubricating fluid.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The disclosed device herein relates to the field of internal combustion engines. More particularly it relates to an internal combustion engine which translates a cylinder between two opposing pistons which are frame mounted in stationary positions. The two pistons provide both a guide for the translating cylinder as well as a mount for igniter and the valves providing intake and exhaust of cylinder gases during operation of the engine. The device as disclosed provides an engine which while compact in dimension, yields exceptional power in relation to that small size and weight. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   From the advent of the industrialized age, internal combustion engines have provided power to move vehicles, rotate pumps, run generators, and for countless other devices which require a power source to perform work. Generally such engines are conventionally designed to have one or a plurality of pistons attached by rods to a crankshaft and rotate that crankshaft using power developed from combustion of fuel inside the cylinders. A cylinder head conventionally tops the cylinder on this type of engine and provides a mount for valving that allows for injection of fuel and exhaust of gasses from the stationary cylinder during engine operation. 
   Because of design considerations in conventional internal piston driven internal combustion engines, when multiple pistons are required for more power, they are usually located adjacent or opposite each other. This design while convenient for manufacture, inherently enlarges the overall size of multi-cylinder engines, thus limiting their application due to size concerns. Further, because cooling is always an issue with internal combustion engines due to the extreme heat generated by exploding gases inside the cylinders, complicated liquid or air cooling systems must be provided to cool engines with reciprocating pistons inside adjacent cylinders. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,514 (Dusoevoir) describes an internal combustion engine with a translating cylinder. However, Duseovoir is overly elongated due to its design encompassing 4 inline cylinders and requires a very complicated gear and lever system to operate the valves and require the crankshaft to be located in-between the two center pistons to operate the valves and balance the forces. Dusoevoir also lacks any teaching for adequate air or fluid cooling of the reciprocating cylinder. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,314,923 (Tompkins) teaches a two stroke engine with a movable cylinder in-between two pistons. However, Tompkins is a two stroke engine and requires the use of complicated hydraulic or electrotechnical valve actuators and also the use of fuel injectors to operate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,622 (Schmied) teaches an internal combustion cylinder engine having two pairs of chambers. However, Schjmied teaches a two cycle engine of two cycle design with exhaust and intake passages at opposite ends of the cylinder bore with the exhaust located on the cylinder itself, much like the classic two cycle design. Schmied thus lacks the positively sealed and adjustable valve scheme required of a four cycle engine. Schmied would thus be incapable of function as a cleaner four cycle engine and also requires a housing that forms the passage for mounting of the two stationary pistons. 
   As such, there exists a need for an engine that is compact and provides high energy output in relation to its weight and dimensions. Such an engine should be able to function as a four cycle engine to allow it to run cleaner and cooler. Such an engine should not require any complicated electro mechanic or compressed gas systems to operate but should instead use simple valve activation technology which allowing easy maintenance and operation and also adjustment and enhancement of the engine performance to meet the power requirements. Still further, such a device should be properly cooled to dissipate the heat of internal combustion engine operation as well as provide for a simple manner to communicate the rotational power developed to the device requiring that power. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The device herein disclosed features a highly compact yet powerful internal combustion engine design. This compact design is enabled by the unique design and operation of the disclosed device which features a translating cylinder having a center wall which laterally translates while engaged on two inline and stationary pistons which communicate in a mount to a block or frame that holds them stationary and inline. Each stationary piston provides a mount for at least one intake and one exhaust port and a spring biased valve to control the seal on those ports. Also provided on each stationary piston is an ignition device such as a spark plug or other gas mixture igniter. 
   The cylinder is divided into two substantially equally dimensioned cylinder chambers which are sized to sealably engage is over and translate on, the two inline opposing stationary pistons which are connected directly or indirectly to a block or frame holding them in position. A first ring on each piston provides for enhanced sealing and compression while a second oiling ring provides lubrication to the cylinder piston engagement through a passage communicating through the respective piston on which it is mounted. 
   Functioning as a four cycle engine, the translating cylinder is attached to a drive gear using an external rod which communicates between an exterior surface mount on the translating cylinder at a first end to a gear drive at a second end. The rod is rotationally attached to the gear drive such that translations of the cylinder over and between the pistons will rotate the gear drive. The translations of the cylinder over the pistons is divided equally into power strokes and exhaust strokes as is the case with conventional four cycle engines and imparts power to the drive gear on each power stroke and oils the respective piston and cylinder engagement on each exhaust stroke. Since the two pistons are inline and opposed to each other, every time one piston and cylinder combination is operating on a power stroke, the other is operating in the exhaust stroke. Thus, there is a constant even supply of power to the drive gear from the cylinder since there is always a power stroke from one or the other pistons engaged with one or other of the cylinder chambers. 
   The cylinder is divided at substantially a center point by a divider plate which is substantially normal to the center axis of the cylinder. This divider plate thus forms two substantially equally dimensioned cylinder chambers, each sized to sealably engage and laterally translate upon one of the opposing two stationary pistons. 
   The exterior surface area of the cylinder in the current favored embodiment of the device has a plurality of grooves about the entire circumference of the cylinder. This grooved surface substantially increases the surface area of the circumference of the exterior of the cylinder and enhances the cooling of the cylinder which is accomplished by oil and air washing over the exterior surface. Also in a current favored embodiment the two pistons have forward sections which are mounted to an underlying piston mounts serving as rearward sections which are fixedly attached to an engine block or frame to allow for easy installation and replacement of either piston if damaged or in need of maintenance. The pistons are in registered engagement with the underlying block or frame using dowels or other locating mutually engageable components which allow for a registered engagement of the pistons with the underlying block which also provides a substantially inline alignment of the two pistons along the center axis of the cylinder. The pistons would also have appropriately located passages to allow for alignment of the intake and exhaust ports of the pistons with those exiting on the engine block or frame side. Using this mode of mounting, should either of the pistons become damaged, it can be easily replaced and aligned with the opposing piston and with the intake and exhaust ports of that piston. 
   As noted, the cylinder is attached to a drive gear or wheel which is attached to a drive shaft. At least one of the drive wheels would be adapted on its exterior circumference with teeth or the like for engagement with an exterior device whereby rotational power from the engine would be communicated thereto. A first drive wheel would be on one end of the drive shaft and on the opposite end of the drive shaft is a second drive wheel attached to a second rod which is rotationally engaged with the cylinder on the opposite side from the first rod. Two rods thus impart balanced force to the two drive gears and the communicating drive shaft. 
   The valves in the device are operated by cam gears engaged with individual cam shafts. One cam gear is in direct engagement with the drive shaft while the second is engaged using a chain or belt or similar apparatus that allows both of the camshafts to be rotated and open and close the two valves at the proper time intervals required for the compression and exhaust of the engine. The valves on each piston open and close in sealed engagement with valve seats that are formed in the face of each respective piston and thereby provide intake and exhaust gas ports for each individual piston and cylinder engagement. 
   In the favored embodiment a case surrounds the block or frame which serves as the mount for the inline pistons as well as surrounding the cylinder and other components. The case is tilled with oil to lubricate and cool the cylinder and piston during operation and in the current favored embodiment air is also circulated through the case by an impeller linked to the crankshaft which powers it during operation of the engine. 
   An object of this invention is the provision of an internal combustion engine wish a high power to weight ratio. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide an engine which uses two stationary pistons providing mounts for the valving system and an inline path on which a moveable cylinder traverses. 
   An additional object of this device is the provision of a high power output engine that is easily cooled using a finned exterior on the oscillating cylinder. 
   A further object of this device is to provide an easily maintainable internal combustion engine using pistons that easily mount in a registered inline engagement thus enhancing replacement of parts should they be needed. 
   Yet an additional object of this device is the provision of such an inline piston engine which provides finned cylinder which is easily cooled by oil and air traversing through a case enclosure. 
   These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side view of the disclosed device showing the engagement of the cylinder over two inline pistons and the engagement of other components of the device. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a second side view showing the engagement of the cylinder with the drive gear and chain driven top camshaft. 
       FIG. 3  depicts and end view of the device showing the valve seat formed in the face of one of the two opposing pistons. 
       FIG. 4  depicts the grooved exterior surface of the cylinder to aid in cooling. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the engine encased in an exterior case which provides a reservoir for oil and also aids in cooling through the provision of a impeller blade to pump air through the internal cavity. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings in  FIGS. 1-5  wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in  FIG. 1  disclosed engine device  10 . The device  10  features a first piston  12  and second piston  14  held in a stationary and in-line opposing position by attachment to a block or a frame or similar means for stationary inline mounting of the two pistons  12  and  14 . Each piston has a pair of valves  16  operatively situated in valve ports  18  which both communicate with the face of the respective pistons. Of course more valves could be provided for increased flow and such is anticipated. The valve ports  18  function in the conventional fashion with one providing the intake mixture of fuel and air to the combustion chambers  20  which are situated on each side of a compression plate  22  which is mounted substantially at the middle of the laterally translating cylinder  26 . The two combustion chambers  20  have an area defined by the sidewall  24  of the cylinder  26 , the compression plate  22 , and the face  28  of the respective pistons  12  and  14  when the cylinder is engaged thereover in an operational translational relationship. 
   By placing the pistons  12  and  14  in a stationary position attached to the block or frame, with their respective center axis and circumferences in-line, and translating the cylinder  26  upon the two stationary pistons  12  and  14 , a very compact two cylinder engine is achieved. Since the compression plate  22  is situated substantially at the center of the cylinder  26 , the two combustion chambers  20  have substantially equal volume and hence substantially equal compression of the fuel mixture when the cylinder  26  translates toward each individual piston  12  and  14  during the compression stroke as best depicted in  FIG. 1  where the cylinder  26  has translated furthest toward the first piston  12  with the compression plate  22  at its closest point to the face  28  of the first piston  12 . 
   When the mixture in either the combustion chambers  20  is compressed and then is ignited by a means for ignition of the fuel mixture such as a spark plug  30 , the explosion forces the compression plate  22  and attached cylinder  26 , toward the opposing piston  14  and in that travel compresses the fuel mixture in the opposing combustion chamber  20  in front of the face  28  of the second piston  14  which is then ignited by the means for ignition such as a spark plug  30  and the cycle repeats itself. 
   The fuel mixture feeding both combustion chambers  20  would be provided by a means to mix fuel and air and communicate it to the combustion chamber  20  such as fuel injectors, a throttle body injector, or a carburetor or the like, communicating through an intake manifold  32  in direct or other communication with the valve  16  and valve port  18  which serves as the intake valve through each piston  12  and  14 . Exhaust gases from the spent fuel mixture in each respective combustion chamber  20  are communicated to an exhaust pipe  34  which communicates through the valve  16  serving as the exhaust valve in its valve port  18  in each respective combustion chamber  20 . 
   As noted, the cylinder  26  translates and is divided into two substantially equally dimensioned combustion chambers  20  which are sized to sealably engage over and translate on the two opposing stationary pistons  12  and  14 . A first ring  36  on each piston  12  and  14  provides for enhanced sealing and compression while a second oiling ring  38  provides lubrication to the sidewall  24  and piston engagement from a lubrication passage communicating through the respective piston on which it is mounted of course those skilled in the art will realize that other ring engagements are possible and such are anticipated operating in a preferred mode similar to the manner of side by side four cycle engines with both a compression and lubrication or exhaust stroke, the laterally translating cylinder  26  is operatively attached to a drive wheel  40  using an external rod  42 . The rod  42  is rotationally engaged at a first end on a pivot  44  or similar rotational mount protruding from its attachment to the exterior surface of the translating cylinder  26 . The rod  42  extends down to a rotational mount at a second end to a position off center on the drive wheel  40 . There are in a current preferred embodiment of the device, two rods  42  rotationally attached to the exterior of the cylinder  26  extending to a rotational mount on two respective drive wheels  40 . Of course one rod and wheel engagement might work; however using two preserves the delicate balance required when operating internal combustion engines at high speed and enhances strength. The provision of the drive wheels  40  and rods  42  in matched pairs provides further balance to the operation of the device  10  as well as increased strength to the connection between the cylinder  26  when forced to translate and the rotating drive wheels  40 . 
   Communication of power from the device  10  to perform work would be provided by a means of communication of rotational power from the rotating drive shaft from at least one of the drive wheels  40  to a component requiring the power. In the current preferred embodiment of the device  10 , a drive gear  46  is situated about the exterior circumference of at least one of the drive wheels  40 . This drive gear  46  would have teeth adapted for cooperative operative engagement with a component to be rotationally driven by the power from the device  10  such as a vehicle or pump or generator the like. 
   Cooling to the device  10  is enhanced in a current preferred mode by a dual cooling scheme which act in concert to transfer heat from a plurality of fins  48  on the exterior surface of the cylinder  26 . Provision of this plurality of fins  48  and the resulting grooves in-between substantially increases the surface area of the exterior circumference of the exterior surface of the cylinder  26  thus providing an increased area from which to communicate heat from the internal combustion in the two combustion chambers  20  during the power stroke. Heat so radiated is communicated away from the cylinder  26  using one or a combination of air cooling and oil cooling of the cylinder  26  with both being the current preferred operation due to the increased cooling capacity of two forms of heat transference. 
   Fluid cooling is provided by the oil which is held inside the sealed case  50  splashes upon the fins  48 . The oil splashing on and running down the exterior of the fins  48  would absorb and relocate heat therefrom. The oil collecting in the bottom of the case can also be routed to a cooler if the case were adapted for such and such an oil cooling scheme is anticipated, especially in hot climates or for engines under high load. Cooling is further enhanced as noted, by air which is circulated through the interior of the case  50  and impeller  52  operatively engaged with the drive gear  46 . This impeller would pull cool air in from the exterior of the case  50  and exhaust it from the case at an air exhaust port  53  in the upper portion of the case to exhaust heat but not oil of course the impeller  52  would spin faster as the engine goes faster thereby providing more cooling. This air circulation would cool both the fins  48  and the cylinder as well as the oil flying about and on the fins  48 , thus providing enhanced cooling of the device  10  during operation. 
   A preferred but optional enhancement of the device  10  is the provision of replaceable pistons  12  and  14  in case of wear and tear. This is provided by adapting a front portion  54  of each piston  12  and  14  to a registered engagement with an underlying mounting portion  56  a means for registered engagement thereof with the valve ports  18  aligned and pistons  12  and  14  operatively aligned such as alignment pins or dowels. This would allow for easy replacement of the front portions  56  and maintaining their alignment with each other. The mounting portion  56  might be formed as part of the block or frame holding the pistons  12  and  14  or might be a separate component that itself attaches to an underlying block or frame. Of course those skilled in the art will realize that the device  10  would function without this optional replacement ability and such is anticipated; however, a preferred mode of the device  10  would be enhanced for servicing by this ability to easily attach new front portions  56  of the pistons  12  and  14  in a registered and inline engagement. 
   The valves  16  operating to control gas intake and exhaust in this disclosed device  10  are operated by cam gears  58  engaged with individual cam shafts  60  or in the case of the lower cam shaft  60  by direct engagement with one drive wheel  40 . The rotation of the cam shafts  60  rotates cam lobes which activate rocker arms  62  which translate the respective valves  16  in their respective valve ports  18 . The valves  16  are biased to a closed position by default by valve springs  64 . The cam shaft  60  not directly engaged to a drive wheel  40  is rotated to time the opening and closing of the valve  16  properly using a chain  66  or belt or similar apparatus that allows both of the camshafts to be rotated and open and close their two respective valves  16  at the properly timed intervals required for the compression and exhaust strokes of the engine of course other means for timed opening and closing of the intake valves and exhaust valves might be used such as solenoids, or hydraulically activated valves  16 ; however, the preferred mode of the device uses the valves  16  operated by the cam shaft  60  for simplicity and reliability. 
   In operation, a case  50  would surround the frame or block which supports the pistons  12  and  14  in their stationary engagement as well as the cylinder  26  and other components of the device  10 . The case  50  as noted would be filled with sufficient lubricant such as engine oil to lubricate the gears, valves, and other moving components, and to cool the fins  48  formed on the exterior of the cylinder  26 . Additionally, air circulated by the impeller  52  would be forced into the interior cavity  51  defined by the case and allowed to vent from the case  50  in a manner to allow sufficient air flow into and out of the device  10  to aid in cooling. The exterior of the case  50  would be adapted for engagement with a mount to hold the device  10  upright and either attached to the device it powers or mounted upright to sit upon a surface during operation. Also, it is anticipated that the device  10  can be constructed with the pistons  12  and  14  held in place and inline by the case  50  itself which would function as the frame to hold the various components in their respective positions. 
   The device herein shown in the drawings and described in detail herein discloses arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed in accordance with the spirit of this invention. All such changes, alterations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims. 
   As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.