EP0245245A1

EP0245245A1 - Orbital engine with radial cylinders

Info

Publication number: EP0245245A1
Application number: EP19850905734
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sidney Hugh Russell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-11-12
Filing date: 1985-11-12
Publication date: 1987-11-19
Also published as: WO1987003042A1

Abstract

Un bloc cylindre (2) radial tourillonné excentriquement sur un arbre (15) est contraint de suivre un mouvement orbital à l'intérieur d'un carter stationnaire (1) par des excentriques stabilisateurs (non illustrés) placés entre le bloc cylindre (2) et le carter (1). Les pistons opposés (3) placés à l'intérieur des cylindres sont reliés entre eux de manière rigide et montés excentriquement sur un manchon (6) pivotant autour de l'arbre (15). Les bielles (5) de connexion des pistons sont soutenues de manière coulissante dans des manchons de guidage au niveau de l'extrémité intérieurre des cylindres. Un agencement d'engrenages (7) aménagé entre le manchon (6) et l'arbre (15) assure la rotation de l'arbre (15), le mouvement orbital du bloc cylindre (2) qui en résulte à travers ces excentriques (10) étant accompagné par une contre-rotation dudit manchon (6) et des excentriques (4) des pistons, d'où il s'ensuit un mouvement de va-et-vient relatif des pistons (3) à l'intérieur des cylindres avec des vitesses absolues réduites des parties mobiles. La présente invention se rapporte en particulier à un moteur à deux temps présentant un transfert de charge entre les cylindres et comprenant des lumières d'échappement (14) aménagées dans les parois des cylindres qui s'alignent périodiquement avec des lumières (12) correspondantes aménagées dans le carter (1).A radial cylinder block (2) journalled eccentrically on a shaft (15) is constrained to follow an orbital movement inside a stationary casing (1) by stabilizing eccentrics (not illustrated) placed between the cylinder block (2) and the housing (1). The opposite pistons (3) placed inside the cylinders are rigidly connected to each other and mounted eccentrically on a sleeve (6) pivoting around the shaft (15). The connecting rods (5) of the pistons are slidably supported in guide sleeves at the inner end of the cylinders. An arrangement of gears (7) arranged between the sleeve (6) and the shaft (15) ensures the rotation of the shaft (15), the orbital movement of the cylinder block (2) which results therefrom through these eccentrics ( 10) being accompanied by a counter-rotation of said sleeve (6) and of the eccentrics (4) of the pistons, whence it follows a relative reciprocating movement of the pistons (3) inside the cylinders with reduced absolute speeds of the moving parts. The present invention relates in particular to a two-stroke engine having a load transfer between the cylinders and comprising exhaust lights (14) arranged in the walls of the cylinders which periodically align with corresponding lights (12) arranged in the housing (1).

Description

ORBITAL ENGINE WITH RADIAL CYLINDERS

Technical Field

This invention relates to orbital type motors that do not function with aid of vanes, and can be operated as any type of internal combustion engine,hydraulic motor,or compressor. Background Art In previous constructions involving circular pistons orbiting in a cylindrical cavity,a common problem has found.

Namely; the need to adequatly support the vanes that are required to divide the cavities,to seal said cavities,and to limit the peripheral speed of the moving parts.

It is the object of this invention to produce an engine fully orbital, but without any of the stated disadvantages. Summary and best method of operation

Features of the engine are--existing cylindrical piston technology is used to provide combustion cavities,valves and timing gear are dispenced with, and the orbital speed of the moving parts are halved,relative to any given movement of the pistons,compared to previous constructions.

While the cavities can be in any configuration, it is with them set round a cylindrical housing so that, then the cylinder next in order of firing can be used to scoure and recharge the preceeding cylinder;that the engine shows to best advantage.

Since the charge is inducted and compressed inward of the pistons for transfer to the combustion cavities,it follows that two stroke operation is not only possible but desirable. Disclosure of Invention. An Orbital reciprocating Engine

Comprising a circular housing excentrically supported round a shaft that is in turn supported centrally and rotatably in an enclosing casing, said housing able to describe an orbital path within the casing on rotation of the shaft relative to the casing. Cylindrical cavities are journalled equally spaced round the peripheral surface of the housing to a required depth,and sections of the same radius as the housing,are made integral with the housing such as to enclose the cavities.

Pistons are slidably fitted in the cylindrical cavities, and conected by rods journalled slidably through the inward face of the cavity; to members excentrically supported on a cylindrical bush round the common shaft, rods being pinned to said members. Said members able to orbit within the housing by reason of clearance provided within the housing.

The excentric members are set with the maximum throw oposite to the excentrics on which the cylinder housing orbits, and as a consequence, the bush on which the piston excentrics are supported will be caused to orbit in the oposite direction,gearing means are provided between the bush and the shaft to guide the piston excentrics in said oposite direction.

It will be seen that as a consequence of this contra-rotation of merabers the inward and outward movements of housing and piston will converge, while the movements at right angles to the direction of reciprocation will be neutralised.

The conecting rods will there-fore be able to remain slidably supported in the housing while driving the piston.

A further advantage of contra-rotation,is that only half the throw of the excentrics is required,with a resulting saving in the Disclosure continued peripheral speed of the members.

While the cylinders of the engine can be in any configuration provided they are caused to orbit, the method of spacing them radially round a circular housing has the advantage of permitting each cylinder next in order, to charge the preceeding cylinder as it completes its inward stroke.

Cylinder valves slidably fitted in channels communicating the two adjoining cavities,regulate the induction and transfer of said charges from the inward side of the advance piston to the cavity outward of the preceeding piston

The valves will be drawn inward during the outward movement of the piston,uncovering a port and permitting a charge to be inducted inward of the pistons.When the inward piston stroke begins, the inducted charge is brought under pressure and said pressure drives the valve outwards sealing off the induction port and uncovering one communicating to the preceeding cavity, scouring and re-charging said cavity as it begins its outward stroke.

It will be seen that efficient two stroke operation can be readily achieved.

When used for internal combustion in Diesel operation, the fact that the cylinder housing is in orbital motion presents no problem,since injectors positioned in the Cylinder housing will communicate with ports at the top of the cavities

If electrical ignition is used, contacts set in the side wall would complete a circuit to the ignition device at the correct time.

Exhaust ports in cylinder and side wall communicate as required to exhaust the cylinders, as a consequence of the orbit of the cylinder housing, said exhaust flowing to a manifold integral with the side walls. Disclosure continued

In whatever configuration the cylinders are placed, the engine will be completely orbital, the reciprocation of the piston in the cylinders is purely relative, the piston would follow the same path,whether it was in the cylinder or not, and since the orbital members each provide only half the total stroke of the engine, they need be only half the size,allowing the stroke to be increased without exceeding the permitted limits of peripheral speed. Sealing

Conventional proven sealing can be used between pis.ton and cylinder walls, and circular seals between side walls and cylinder housing, are needed for exhaust and injection ports. Cooling

The usual jacket round the cylinders, can be supplied through the stablizing excentrics placed between housing and side wall Lubrication

The clearance in the housing centre provided for the piston excentrics,would serve as would a crank case. While the engine would operate with-out the reverse gearing between cylinder housing and piston, it should be understood that the drive would then be taken by the rod where it passes through the housing.

Sufficient bearing surface would need to be provided to take the drive,and the rod given enough rigidity to prevent flexing Ignition

Since the cylinder is in orbital motion during operation, provision is made to flow fuel to the cylinder heads where injectors in said heads are operated by cams in the outer casing For electrical ignition, contacts are set in the side walls. Discription of drawings _{( 1 )}

Fig. (1) is a view of the engine with the side casing and adjacent excentric. member (10) removed. Shown are the circular housing (2)in which the cylindrical cavities are journalled.Slidably fitted in the cavities are the pistons (3)conected to the orbiting members on excentric(4)by rod (5 ) beingjournalled through the inner surface of the cavities.

The freely rotatable bush (6)supports the excentric members which drive the piston to vary the combustion cavity (8)and the induction cavity (9)which are communicated by channels (16) between adjoining cylinders.

The cylinder valve (18)will be drawn inward during the outward movement of the piston, allowing induction to take place through channel (17)as the piston moves inward,pressure causes the valve (18) to move outward uncovering port (16) and allowing a charge to flow into the cavity as the piston reaches the inward point of its travel, scouring the cavity through the ports (12) (14)and recharging it. Fig(2)

Is a view of the engine through section lines A-A showing the outer casing (1) enclosing the cylinder housing (2)in which the pistons (3)reciprocate, driven by the conecting rods (5)on members supported on excentrics (4)from the bush which is supported on the common shaft (15)

The cylinder housing is caused to orbit by excentrics (10)and is linked to the piston excentrics by reverse gearing (7)driving the bush (6)off shaft (15)

The combustion cavity (8)recieves injected fuel through ports (11) and is exhausted thruugh port (14)when it communicates with port (12)

The induction cavity (9)is charged through channels (16)(not shown)

Manifold (13)conducts away the spent gasses.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THIS INCENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS

Claim (1)

An engine comprising a housing supported on members excentrically supported on a shaft, to describe an orbital path with-in an outer casing in which the shaft is retatably supported in the side walls of said casing.

Cylindrical cavities journalled to required depth in the housing,slidably accomadate pistons that are conected by rods journalled through the inner face of the cavities,to further excentrally mounted members which act to describe an orbital path with-in the housing,having clearance provided round the common shaft.

The piston members individually supported on excentric sections integral with a bush freely supported round the shaft, said members being set with the throw of the excentrics oposite to those of the cylinder housing,will accomadate to the orbital movement of the housing,by orbiting in the reverse direction.

The pistons will be caused to reciprocate with-in the cavities and the orbital movement of the housing at right angles to the direction of reciprocation, will be neutralised by the same degree of movement in the same direction by the piston and conecting rod.

Means provided to regulate the admission to and exhaust from each cavity in sequence,of a working fluid to induce orbiting of the housing and resultant rotation of the shaft.

Claim(2)

An engine as in claim (1)having the cylindrical cavities equally spaced round a circular housing,which is excentrically supported on a shaft to describe an orbital path with-in an enclosing casing on rotation of the shaft relative to the casing said shaft rotatably supported in the side walls of said casing. Claim (2) continued

The cavities journalled to a required depth, slidably accommadate pistons that are conected by rods journalled through the inner surface of the cavities, to further excentrically mounted members supported on a bush which is itself freely supported round the common shaft within the housing.

The piston excentrics positioned on the oposite throw to those of the housing excentrics,will cause the piston and its conecting rod to orbit in the reverse direction to that of the housing,on rotation of the shaft relative to the casing, causing the piston to reciprocate in the cavities, while neutralising the orbital movement of the housing at right angles to the direction of reciprocation, by the equal movement of its own in that same direction.

The engine being operable as an internal combustion engine and including means to regulate in sequence the admission, ignition,and exhaust of a gasseous mixture relative to each cavity to induce orbiting of the housing and resultant rotation of shaft. Claim (3).

An engine as in claims one and two,operable as a two stroke internal combustion engine,having the means to induct charges to the inward side of the pistons in each cavity,and transfer said charges to combustion cavities formed in the cylinders in the preceeding order of firing,said transfer acting to scoure and recharge them prior to their compression stroke. Claim (4)

An engine as in claim (2) where channels provided between the cavities are bisected by a cylindrical slideway in which a valve is pressure operated to reciprocate pillowing the preceeding cavity to be charged or isolated as required,and fresh induction permitted. Claims continued Claim (5)

An engine as in claims (2) and (3) where fuel injectors are provided in the eylinder housing, serving to inject fuel into the head of the combustion cavity,and operated by cam tracks in the side walls.

Claim (6)

An engine as in all previous claims having reverse gearing provided between shaft and excentric piston bush,acting to guide the said bush in contra-rotation. Claim(7)

An engine as in all previous claims,having the cylinders placed in any configuration.