AU673054B2 - Rotary-orbital device - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01 I Mas A, ____Regulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 0 v nto Ttl: R TAYl Title: EV The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-

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'The claims defining the invention are as 6 o

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toR (Name of Applicant) (Date) (BLOCK LETrERS) *Note: If there is insufficient space above to type the statement of claim, do not use this sheet, but use separate sheets of paper beginning with the words *The claims defining the invention are as follows:" and ending with the date and the name of the applicant in block letters.

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ROTARY-ORBITAL DEVICE This invention relates to improvements to rotating internal combustion sliding vane engines.

There have been many proposals for a rotating engine of which some designs are based on air compressor technology of which problems arise as to speed and lubrication of movable parts.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, by simultaneously rotating and orbiting the rotor, thereby halving rotor revolution speed in relation to the amount of power impulses available each and every 10 revolution.

The device will also be suitable for burning hydrogen fuel owing to its inherent lack of "hot-spots" in the power cycle, which can lead to preignition.

In one form of the invention, a cylindrical rotor simultaneously rotates 15 and orbits within a cylindrical housing. Three vanes are provided which are mounted on a centrally located axis (to the housing) and protrude through rotatably mounted slotted bearings and extend radially to minimal mechanical clearance from the housing both peripherally and laterally.

These said vanes having thickened ends in relation to their main sliding thickness to facilitate a greater distance between end seals to enhance seal performance as the said vanes traverse any openings or slots needed for valving or ignition. Spring loaded sealing strips and/or buttons are provided for substantial pressure proof sealing between rotor, vanes, bearings and housing.

The rotor is orbitally-rotated by an externally toothed gearwheel fixed to the rotor. Within the housing is fixedly mounted an internally toothed gearwheel into which the rotor gearwheel meshes. The given ratio of the internally to externally toothed gearwheels is 4:3.

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-2- Power is transmitted by an eccentric shaft to which the rotor together with attached externally-toothed gearwheel is rotatably mounted. Between this said gearwheel and the said eccentric shaft is provided a bearing as they rotate in opposite directions.

Thus, in its movement, the rotor in fact "rolls" around inside the housing with only minimal mechanical clearance.

With two sets of appropriate intake and exhaust valves, which preferably would be rotary slotted valves, with each combination sited 180 apart, a single revolution of the rotor will create working spaces or chambers which vary in volume.

These said chambers can be used for intaking, compressing, firing and exhausting gases as is the principle of a normal reciprocating internal combustion engine.

Each single revolution of the said rotor with three vanes will create three working chambers being compressed and released respectively four times each. As they cycle one revolution, each chamber can be used to form two complete four stroke internal combustion power cycles.

Thus in its preferred form, the aforementioned engine will create six complete four stroke cycles, for each single revolution of the rotor. For each six complete four stroke cycles the eccentric shaft will turn three revolutions.

The said housing being completely cylindrical, coupled with the generally low speed of vane seal contact will greatly enhance long lasting wear and lubrication characteristics as compared to the prior art.

In relation to a normal four stroke reci valve "overlap" causes intractability "breathing" of the engine is enhanced kq speed of the said vanes.

procating engine excessive In this device the by the inherent variable h -i- To assist in explaining engine function, relation to one only working space will be described; at a point where the rotor is at its closest to the housing top dead centre), the intake valve is opened and the rotor moves away, the leading vane accelerates quickly with the trailing vane barely moving, and air/fuel is induced. When the rotor reaches the point farthest away from the housing bottom dead centre), the working chamber is at its greatest volume, and the intake valve is now closed. Neighbouring vanes now being at equal velocity, then a reverse procedure occurs as the rotor moves to compress the charge. The trailing vane now accelerates and the leading vane deccelerates, culminating in the rotor reaching its next top dead centre. The compressed charge is now ignited. The cycle then repeats itself.

After the power cycle is completed and with the rotor at its next bottom dead centre the exhaust valve opens and as the rotor returns to top dead centre. The spent gases are expelled. The rotor has at this point travelled 1800 and the eccentric shaft has turned 5400.

This particular four stroke cycle in question is now ready with the closing of the exhaust valve and opening of the intake valve to commence another identical cycle.

Each of the other two working spaces are cycling identically but at different stages.

25 It will be realised that the aforementioned device with appropriate valving and ignition can be used for a two cycle internal combustion engine, of which 12 power impulses will be obtained each and every revolution.

The device can, with appropriate valving, be used for doing work e.g. a compressor or vacuum pump for gases or liquids, and also be used for producing power by external forces e.g. steam, hydraulics.

-T RA4/a To o ii L~Y CL IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 a cross-section of one example of this invention which shows two gearwheels and eccentric shaft which dictates the rotor's movement within the housing.

FIG. 2 a cross-section of the same example of this invention which shows the rotor with sliding vanes and placement of valves and ignition.

Referring to FIG. 1 it will be noted that the eccentric shaft 4 and central journal 5 are a one piece unit.

10 Within the housing 1 is fixed gearwheel 2 in which gearwheel 3 is free *to rotate. The rotor 9 is fixed to this gearwheel 3. Rotary slotted i valves 6,7 are paired units intake and exhaust on each side of housing 1. Slots 8 allow entry and egress of gases.

Referring to FIG. 2 shows the engine cycling. In the present rotor 9 015 position, valve 6 is in the open inlet position. As the rotor 9 moves, working space 16 increases in volume causing induction 12. Working space 15 is at the ignition position as spark plug 14 fires. Resultant f' expansion pushes rotor in path dictated and imparts power to eccentric S...shaft 4. Working space 17 has past its power stroke and is now exhausting spent gases through valve 7. The sliding vanes 10 are free to rotate about central journal 5 and each moves in sympathy with rotor 9 with varying velocity in relation to each other.

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Claims (7)

1. A rotary-orbital engine comprising of a hollow cylindrical main housing within which a rotor similtaneously rotates and orbits by means of a set of gearwheeTs and an eccentric shaft, which passes axially through the sail housing, provided are a plurality of equal length vanes, each with sealing strips and/or buttons placed at their sealing edges, these said vanes being mounted. rotatably on a central journal sited on the same plane as the said eccentric shaft, and do protrude radially through rotatable bearings in the said rotor and engage in slideable sealing contact with the said housing, thus in the said rotor's movement, a plurality of chambers of varying volume are created, for each working space cycle of revolution said working space will be compressed and released four times, with the said eccentric rotating three times in the opposite direction for each revolution of the said rotor, also provided in the said housing are a plurality of intake and exhaust valves and a plurality of ignition means making the invention capable of being used as an internal combustion engine, as 20 described the said engine in four-stroke configuration will require one half of one said rotor revolution to complete an induction-compression-power-exhaust cycle, and in two-stroke configuration will require one quarter of one said rotor revolution to complete a cycle.

2. The rotary-orbital engine of claim 1 wherin the counter rotation of the rotor to eccentric shaft is created by an internally-toothed gearwheel fixedly mounted in the main housing, within which an externally-toothed gearwheel fixed to the said rotor does intermesh, the given ratio of the said main 30 housing gearwheel to said rotor gearwheel is 4:3 respectively, thus for each revolution of the said rotor with the said eccentric shaft revolving three times in a counter rotation does impart three orbits to the said rotor in the same direction as the said eccentric shaft. "e; I i 4_ a 0 00 0 0 00U a a a a 0 00 0 00* 0 C t t c C NTO J 2- i

3. The rotary-orbital engine of claim 1 or 2 wherein all vanes are free to rotate about the central journal and have widened outer ends with a plurality of sealing strips and/or buttons to enhance sealing efficiency between neighbouring chambers as these said chambers traverse any openings or slots which are necessary for induction, exhaustion or ignition.

4. The rotary-orbital engine of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the rotor does not contact the main housing at all, only the vanes sealing strips and/or buttons do so.

5. The rotary-orbital engine of any one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein the main housing is devoid of ignition means and by applying external power to the eccentric, the said engine can be t made to do work as compressor or a pump, by intaking and exhausting liquids or gases through the intake and exhaust valves.

6. The rotary-orbital engine of claim 5 wherein by applying external power in the form of liquids or gases through the intake and exhaust valves can cause power to be imparted to the eccentric shaft.

7. A rotary-orbital engine substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. .I .1 iti 'M i i 1 1 Vi 1 4 ABSTRACT A rotary-orbital device is disclosed. The device is a cylindrical housing within which a cylindrical rotor carrying three sliding vanes (10) moves around a path dictated by a set of gearwheels and an eccentric shaft so as to cause pressure resistant varying volume working chambers to be created. 1 o o o o o o 1 0 4. t 0 4 Ij o .a, 4 44 94 4444 4 riij rrtr III 1 1 t tI <t i i i t ii S. 1 ^~ll i