GB2337562A - Internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

An internal combustion engine comprises a circular reaction member in the form of a disc 14 non-rotatably mounted in a part spherical space 11 defined by a housing wall 12. The disc 14 is mounted on a structure of connecting rods 19a-19e attached to an outer ring 20 of a bearing 21 on an inclined end face 24 of a crankshaft 25 such that, in use, nutational movement of the disc 14, in which a central axis 22a perpendicular to the disc 14 describes a cone, causes rotation of the crankshaft 25 about its axis 26. The disc 14 comprises separate segments (14a-14e, Fig 2) having side walls (27-31) which divide the spherical space 11 into varying volume chambers, each having a spark plug 37 and communication to inlet and outlet ports via a rotatable valve assembly 40.

Description

1 2337562 PATE.NTS ACT 1977 Title: INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Description of Invention

T'llis invention relates to an internal combustion enaine.

Internal combustion engines are known which comprise one or more pistons which are each caused to reciprocate in a respective cylinder by the combustion of fuel.

Internal combustion engine..; are known which comprise a piston rotatable in ail epitrochoidal cylinder.

In each case, such engines tend to be larue to have the ne-cessary capacity for a desired pokkered output. and a large nuniher of movino parts.

According to the invention 1 1)r,),.i(le in internal corlibustion enville comprising an at least part generally spherical space defined by a housing wall, a circular reaction member non-rotatahly rnotinted in the space and connected via a connecting structure to an output shaft in a nizinner such th.11 illovenient of the reaction member in the space such that a central Lxis of the nieniber whicil is generally perpepdicular to the member describes a cone. rotation of the output shaft about its longitudinal axis.

By providing a spherical space in which the reaction disc is mounted, the overall physical size of tile engine can be kept to a niiiiinitini.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side ifflistrative sectional view of in enoine in accordance C witil tile invention; and Figure 2 is an illustrative plan view of part of the enoine of F1gure 1.

Referring to the there is showil an Internal engine comprising a part generally spherical space 1 1 defined by a housing 12. The space 11 extends for ahout 120' in all directions abotil an orium U of tile space 11. Within the space 11 there is provided a dise 14 which has a circular central opening 15 to accommodate a spherical bearing 17 xk[lich is also centred on the ori-,ln 13.

The disc 14 is mounted by mearis of a connecting structure 18 comprising in this example five connecting rods 19a to 19e (only rods 19a to 19c being visible in Figure 1), each rod 19a to 19e being rigidly connected to the disc 14 and each being of generally equal length.

The connecting rods 191 to 19-e each extend to and are connected to an outer ring 20 of a bearing 21, the outer ring 20 being free to rotate about a bearing axis 22 relative to an inner ring 23. The bearing 71 is provided on all inclined end face 24 of a crankshaft 25, displaced outwardly from a central axis of rotation 26 of the crankshaft 25, the face 24 beine incline(] at about 60' to tile horizontal as shown in Figure 1.

The reaction disc 14 is con.,trained auairist rotailon a0out axis 22) as hereinafter described, and so it will be appreciated that due to tile geometry, if the crankshaft 25 were rotated about its own axis 26, the dis-c 14 will be caused to move in the spherical space 11 such that it., central axis 22a sweeps out a cone c--ntered on an axis 32 which is coincident with the rotational a-xis 26 of tile crankshaft 25.

Conversely, where the disc 14 is caused to niove such that its central, uis 22a sweeps out the cone, as hereinafter described, (Iri\c will be imparted to rotate the crankshaft 25 about its ixis 26.

The disc 14 comprises a plurality of separate segments, five in this example indicated at 14a to 14,e the segments being mutually connected together solely by means of the connecting structure 18. The spherical space 11 is divided into five generally equally sized chambers 1-5 to accommodate the segments 14a to 14e, by side walls 27 to 31 which each extend radially from,Lxis 32 of (fie engine which is coincident witil tile rotational txi,; 26 of the crankshaft 25, and passcs through the origin 13 of tile spacc 1 1.

3 Each segment 14g to 14p of the disc 14 carries a pair of radial edge seal. , 33 which cooperate with a respective side \vall 27 to 31, as well as a circumfe rent ial seal 34 which cooperates with the housing wall, and a seal 35 I'S provided in each side wall 27-31 to cooperate with bearing 17 at the middle of the disc 14. Thus as the disc 14 moves as described, the five varying volume chambers 1-5 formed by the side walls 27 to 31, the segments 14a to 14e of the disc 14. and the housing wall 12 remain separate and sealed from one another.

Each chamber 1-5 thus formed is provided with an opening to receive a spark plug 37, and due to the varying volume of each chamber 1-5, in each chamber 15 induction, compression, ignition -and exhau.st of file] or fuel/air mixture can occur.

Tile housing wall 12 has an opening 39 centred on axis 32 which receives a rotatable valve assembly 40, the assembly 40 having a circumferential e. g. conical seal 4 1 which cooperates with opening 39, and each of tile respective side walls 27 to 31 as the assembly 40 rotates, so as not to breach the integrity of the five chambers 1-5. The side walls 27 to 31 are ctit-a\k,,iy as necessary to accommodate the valve assembly 40 and the valve assembly 40 seats, at a lower surface I- oil central bearing 17 and is scale(] relative thereto.

-File valve assembly 40 has a first passage nicans 42 which extends generally along the rotational axis 32 from an inlet port 43 which is connected exteriorally of the space 11 to a carburettor or fuel injection means as desired, and to one of a pair of outlet ports 44, 45 at the periphery of the valve assembly 40. A second passage means 46 generally surrounds the first passage means 42 except where tile first passage means 42 sweeps outwardly to tile outlet port.,, 44, 45. The second passage means 46 communicates exteriorally of space 11 witil all exhaust manifold. Of course, a combine(] exhaust and inlet niarlifold construction could be provided as desired.

The second passage illeatis 46 extends to each of a respective pair of exhaust inlets ports 47, 48 it the perlpher), of the rolatable valve assembly 40.

4 Each fuel outlet port 44, 45 is positioned adjacent an exhaust port 47, 48 such that the fuel outlet arld exhaust pow, alternate arourid the perlpher,, (4 valve assembly 40.

The valve assembly 40 is adapted to rotate about ZLxis 32 ill an anticlockwise direction as seen in the figures. Hence the outlet fuel ports 44, 45 will each communicate in succession with each of tile chamber.c. 1-5 to permit a charge of fuel to be introduced into the respective chailiber 1-5. Each of the exhaust ports 47, 48 will also in turn communicate with each respective charriber 11-5. By virtue of the geometry of the rotary valve assembly 40, after each chamber 1-5 has received a charce of fuel, the clianiher will he sealed whilst the valve asserribly 40 rotates through more than 90 until the next exhaust port 48. 47 communicates with the chamber. After communication of a respective exhaust port 48, 47 with a chamber, the valve assembly 40 mily rotates a sniall aniount before the next fuel outlet port 46, 45 becomes aligned the particular chamber.

The rotary valve assembly 40 is geared to tile crankshaft 25 and is driven therefrom, although the crankshaft 25 ls rotatable clockwise. i.e. ill all opposite direction to tile valve assembly 40.

The spark plug 37 of each chamber 1-5 is arranged to ignite a fuel charge in its respective chamber when the volume ()f the chamber is at a minimum. Combustion of the charge will exert a downward force on the respective segment 14a to 14e of the disc 14 which, bs, virtue of the disc 14 being mounted oil the connecting structure 18, wili cause (lie respective seullient Of the disc 14 to nod. Sequential ignitions of charge in the chambers 1-5 will thus cause the disc 14 to move on the connecting structure 18 as described above.

In the arrangement shown, the firing sequence ls arranged to be charliber 1, then chamber 3, then chamber 5, then chamber 2, then chamber 4, and so oil, so that alternate chanibers will experience ignitIon of charge. BY virtue of the rotation of valve 14, cach chamber 1- will scoticiiti,,kllv induce fuel to be admitted into tile cliiiiil)cr. from an aligned fuel mitlet Imit 451 i j 1 46, or otherwise permit charge to be introduced into the ellaniber 1-5 as tile volume of the chaniher 1-5 exliitiel,. conipress the ftiel ()r iiiixitire. i,; tilt:

disc continues to move to reduce the volurlle of tile clianiber, and whell tile volume of tile chamber is a minimum the fuel charge niixture is ignited caus-ing expansion of the volume of the chaniher, followed by reduction of the voluille of (he chamber again thus to cause exhaust products to be urged from the respective chamber via an aligned exhaust port 47 or 48. Thus tile engine described will perform a conventional Otto cycle.

The housing wall 12 i,, surrounded at least [)art by a water jacket 15 and passages nlay be provided within the side walls 1.7 to 3l for the passage of coolant. Tile housing wall 12 illay be made Lip froni a plurality of sel)arztt.' sections, at least some of which are clamped together by an external clanipingu frame 5 1 such that the water jacket SO is provided in the main between llotisi[1LJ wall 12 and the frame 51. The opening 39 for the rotatable valve assellibly 40 may be provided on a part-spherical head block 52 which may also contain five openings, one for each of the five spark plugs '17 for (lie chailibers 1-5.

Various modifications niav be made without departing froni the Scope of the invention.

In the example described, the spherical space 11 is divided up into five separate chambers 1-5 by the respective side walls 27 to 3 1. In an alternative arrangement the part-spherical space 11 rnay he divided tip into a different number of chambers, and the reaction disc 14 may have a corre,,1)oriclirig number of segments.

The head block 52 need not be pan-spherical, because tile only part of the housing wall 12 which must necessarily be ofa part-spherical configuration is that part of tile wall 12 which comes into contact with the periplien, of the disc 14 as the disc 14 move,;.

The valve asserlibly 40 described is oilly an exaniple of a suilable arra rige tile ilt whIch rilay he provided to perillil fuel charge to he ilitroduced Into [lie respective challihers of tile Cliville, and for spelil Combustion to he 11 0 exhausted from the respective chambers. In another arrangement, each chamber may have an opening through which a fuel charge is injected at an appropriate juncture ill the erityine cycle, such that the valve i-,..; enll)iy 40 would in that instance only provide for the exhaust of combustion products from the engine.

Although it is preferred for the reaction disc 14 to be set at an angle of about 60' to the horizontal as shown in the drawings, in another arrangement, the disc 14 rnay he arranged at another angle to the horizontal as desired.

In the example described, ignition of fuel is achieved by spark plugs 37. In another arrangement, the engine may operate on the Diesel principle, with ignition occurring due to compression.

An enuine having a part-spherical space and reaction disc which moves as described, may be arranged to operate on a "two stroke" principle. with preconi pressi oil of fuel occurring externally of the space 13, and introduCtiOn Of the fuel assisting exhaust of spent combustion products.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing tile disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining tile disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in (liver,e form., thereof.

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Claims (22)

1. An internal combustion engine comprising an at least part generally spherical space defiried by a housing wall, a circular reaction member nonrotatably mounted in the space and connected via a connecting structure to an output shaft in a manner such that movement of the reaction member in the space such that a central axis of the member which is generally perpendicular to the member describes a cone, causes rotation of the output shaft about its longitudinal axis.

2. An engine according to Claim 1 wherein the part generally spherical space defined by the housing extends for about 120' in all directions about an origin of the space.

3. An engine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the circular reaction member comprises a disc which has a circular central opening to accommodate a spherical bearing which is centred on an origin of the space.

4. An engine according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the connecting structure comprises a plurality of connecting rods rigidly connected to the reaction member and each extending to and being connected to the output shaft via a bearing.

5. An engine according to claim 4 wherein the connecting rods are each of generally equal length.

1;

6. An engine according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the bearing comprises an outer ring which is free to rotate about a bearing axis relative to an inner ring.

7. An engine according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the bearing is provided on an inclined end face of the output shaft, and is displaced outwardly from a central axis of rotation of the output shaft.

8. An engine according to Claim 7 wherein the face is inclined at about 60' to the horizontal when the axis of rotation of the output shaft is vertical.

9. An engine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the circular reaction member comprises a plurality of separate segments, the segments being mutually connected together solely by means of the connecting structure, and the spherical space is divided into a corresponding number of chambers to accommodate the segments, each chamber comprising a combustion chamber of the engine.

10. An engine according to Claim 9 wherein the spherical space is divided into chambers by side walls which each extend radially from the axis of the enaine which is coincident with the rotational axis of the output shaft and 0 passes through an origin of the spherical space.

11. An engine according to Claim 10 wherein each segment carries a pair of radial edge seals which cooperate with a respective side wall, as well as a circumferential seal which cooperates with the housing wall, and a seal is provided in each side wall to cooperate with a spherical bearing at the middle of the circular reaction member.

12. An engine according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 wherein each chamber is provided with an opening to receive a spark plug, whereby a fuel/air mixture in the chamber is ignited.

13. An engine according to any one of Claims 9 to 12 wherein the housing wall has an opening centred on the axis of rotation of the output shaft, which opening receives a rotatable valve assembly having a circumferential seal which cooperates with the opening and each of the respective side walls as the valve assembly rotates.

14. An engine according to Claim 13 wherein the side walls are cut-away to accommodate the valve assembly, and the valve assembly seats at a lower surface on a central spherical bearing and is sealed relative thereto.

15. An engine according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein the valve assembly has a first passage means which extends generally along the rotational axis of the output shaft from an inlet port which is connected exteriorally of the space to a fuel supply means and to one of a pair of outlet ports at the periphery of the valve assembly.

16. An engine according to Claim 15 wherein a second passage means generally surrounds the first passage means except where the first passage means sweeps outwardly to the outlet ports, the second passage means communicating exteriorally of the spherical space with an exhaust manifold and the second passage means extending to each of a respective pair of exhaust inlet ports at the periphery of the rotatable valve assembly.

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17. An engine according to Claim 16 wherein each fuel outlet port is positioned adjacent an exhaust port such that the fuel outlet and exhaust ports alternate around the periphery of valve assembly.

18. An engine according to Claim 17 wherein the valve assembly is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation of the output shaft in a manner such that the outlet fuel ports each communicate in succession with each of the chambers to permit a charge of fuel to be introduced into the respective chamber and each of the exhaust ports also in turn communicate with each respective chamber.

19. An engine according to Claim 18 wherein the rotary valve assembly is geared to the output shaft which is rotatable in an opposite direction to the valve assembly.

20. An engine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the housing wall is surrounded at least part by a water jacket.

21. An engine according to Claim 20 wherein the housing wall is made up from a plurality of separate sections, at least some of which are clamped together by an external clamping means such that the water jacket is provided in the main between housing wall and the frame.

22. An internal combustion engine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

0 22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.