Patent ID: 7421998

Claim:
A modular engine, the engine comprising: a modular compression source connected to a compression inlet; the compression inlet connected to a modular valve body, the modular valve body having a valve for metering the flow of air to a modular combustion assembly through a passage; the modular combustion assembly having a fuel source, injector and a plug; a valve assembly housed within the modular combustion assembly for mixing the air fuel mixture, the plug for igniting the air fuel mixture, the valve assembly for urging the ignited air fuel mixture through an expansion port; the expansion port connected to a expansion chamber, the expansion chamber having an expansion port in a first plate, a second plate having an exhaust port, a center body housing a rotor and a vane, the center body affixed on one side to the first plate and on an opposite side to the second plate, a shaft engaging the first plate, center body, rotor and second plate, the side of the first plate adjacent to the center body having a cam, the side of the second plate adjacent the center body having a cam in correspondence to the cam on the first plate; the vane having a pair of guide shaft assemblies extending through the vane and from the center body, the guide shaft assemblies having a shaft attached to a bearing assembly on each end of the shaft; one bearing assembly in contact with the top of the cam in the first plate and an opposite bearing assembly in contact with the top of the cam in the second plate; the other bearing assembly in contact with the bottom of the cam in the first plate and an opposite bearing assembly in contact with the bottom of the cam in the second plate; rotation of the vane and contact of the bearing assemblies with the cams causing the vane to translate into and out of the center body; the vane having a seal on a top surface, the vane having a seal and on the sides parallel to the first plate and second plate; the first and second plates having a seal around the inner surface adjacent to the travel of the side vane seals; and the center body having a seal adjacent to the seal on top surface of the vane.