GB2448533A

GB2448533A - Rotary valve (rotating cylinder valve) for internal combustion engines

Info

Publication number: GB2448533A
Application number: GB0707590A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew David East
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-19
Filing date: 2007-04-19
Publication date: 2008-10-22
Also published as: GB0707590D0

Abstract

A hollow cylinder 1 is rotated by belt or cam at half the speed of the crank shaft, in a similar way to a normal cam shaft, and has a spiral dividing wall 2 which transports air into and removes exhaust gases from the engine's cylinders. The spiral divider 2 may be shaped to aid the passage of air/exhaust gases. The outer wall of the cylinder 1 has holes 3, shaped to give the most efficient flow characteristics, which replace the valves in a normal i.c. engine. This arrangement incorporates all the cylinders requirements in one rotating valve, the cam shafts and poppet valves with all their associated mechanical parts being replaced with one cylinder running on bearings to suit. This can be adapted for engines with different numbers of pistons, and also more rotating cylinder valves for V configuration and boxer type engines. The piston compression is kept intact by rings 5 around the outside of the rotating cylinder 1; the valve holes may have additional separating rings or tips to reduce compression loss. A close tolerance to the outer casing of the cylinder head (4, figure 1) would also help maintain compression.

Description

ROTARY VALVE (ROTATING CYLINDER VALVE) This invention relates to a

device which replaces the valve system found in a common internal combustion engine. A combustion engine is only as efficient as the amount of air / fuel mixture it can pass in a unit of time. This is limited by a valve system which at high speeds can exhibit problems with the springs fitted to the normal poppet valve. Also it is limiting because the exhaust valve has to move out of the way of the piston as it rises in the bore.

This rotary valve is designed to replace all the valves, springs and cam shafts with a hollow cylinder, split in two down its centre with a spiral divider. The outer wall of the cylinder has holes to allow air to enter the piston bore and another for the exhaust. The cylinder rotates at half the speed of the crank shaft in a similar way to a normal camshaft, using a chain or belt drive and is supported on suitably located bearings. The rotary valve cylinder would be gas tight over each piston area to contain the compression, which would act against the closed side of the rotary valve cylinder.

The engine in practice would work in a similar way to a normal internal combustion engine.

1) Induction. The air enters the piston bore through the hole in the cylinder wall and fuel is injected.

2) Compression. The piston rises compressing the gas against the side of the cylinder wall.

3) Power. The fuel mixture is ignited pressure against the cylinder wall giving the power.

4) Exhaust. The second hole presents itself to the piston bore as the piston rises again allowing the exhaust gas to exit on the other side of the cylinder.

Thought should be given to insulating the heat of the exhaust gases from the inlet gases to aid efficiency.

ROTARY VALVE (ROTATING CYLINDER VALVE) Cont.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 shows a section through an internal combustion engine incorporating the rotating cylinder valve.

Figure 2 is a plan view on the engine showing cylinder positions.

Figure 3 shows the plan view on the rotating cylinder valve indicating the path of the spiral division between inlet and exhaust.

Figure 4 shows a section through with the rotating cylinder valve offset to allow room for fuel injectors and/or spark plugs.

Claims

ROTARY VALVE (ROTATING CYLINDER VALVE) Claims The rotating valve system

is designed to overcome problems which normal combustion engines suffer from, the poppet valves fitted to most engines are controlled by springs or hydraulics. These limit the engijies revolutions per minute because the springs can not react fast enough the hydraulic type are faster but also have limits. Another problem is that the piston has to be designed to miss the exhaust valve as on the exhaust stroke this valve is open and this can effect compression ratios. The-rotary cylinder avoids both these problems With modern materials the combustion areas formed in the side of the cylinder can be isolated from each other with a ring similar to a piston ring. The holes in the sides of the cylinder would also have similar dividers.

The holes can be shaped to give the most efficient flow characteristics, which should also perform better than the poppet valves, as they would in affect be larger and open for longer.

This design would be very suitable for diesel powered engines as the fuel is injected into a full charge of air. For a petrol engine the fuel / air mixture would be regulated with injectors and a large controlled Other rotary valves have been patented, but this design incorporates all the cylinders requirements in one valve, it is therefore simpler and probably more efficient than others. It's design allows for larger openings to the cylin-der to give a quicker charge of air. The spiral diviieralong thecentrc of the cylinder could be shaped to enhance the flówof air into each piston bore.

Tbc pi$an compression is kept. intact with th c4gi which bpratt the pressure from each piston, also tip Aclôse tolerance to the outer casing would also help nh1MItelo .

V

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

ROTARY VALVE ROTATING CYLINDER HEAD

The pistons are profiled to suit the radius of the cylindrical valve.

The inlet and outlet openings for the air to enter and exit are oval or rectangular with rounded corners.

The openings are sealed using piston ring type seals' around the openings and other similar seals to separate each cylinder. All made from suitable materials.

The two halves of the rotating valve are separated from each other by an insulated divider, and could be made as separate chambers within a separate cylinder with a channel for coolant to pass in between. * ** * S S * S. 55*5 * S iSle IS.. * I.

SS I

S *1*

S S. S S 55 S Si

S *5s

S