GB396794A - Improvements in internal combustion engines - Google Patents

Abstract

396,794. Four-stroke engines. CLAUS, P. S., 11836, Hamilton Avenue, Highland Park, Michigan, U.S.A. Feb. 10, 1932, No. 4020. Convention date, Sept. 14, 1931. [Classes 7 (ii), 7 (v), and 7 (vi.)]. The piston works in a sleeve 7 with enlarged head 7a, the sleeve being reciprocated by cams 98 ; it moves in advance of the piston so that the maximum or ignition compression pressure is reached before the piston is at top dead-centre. As the sleeve moves down from the top of its stroke, it keeps constant or enlarges the combustion space, although the piston is still moving up; when the piston has moved some way on its power stroke, the sleeve is returned to its top position ; the cams are circular for the greater part of their contour to give prolonged dwell at the top. The piston and sleeve, at the top of their working stroke, form with the recessed cylinder head a small chamber 41, which receives part of the combustible charge ; this is driven into the main burning charge in the cylinder by the head of the sleeve as it rises into the recess. In a modification, two small pistons in auxiliary cylinders control the combustion-space volume in the same manner as the head of the sleeve. Valves; valve gear; regulating.-Admission and exhaust to and from the cylinder is controlled by a valve 25 leading through a duct 26 to outlet and exhaust manifolds 29, 28 ; a valve 32 ensures correct connection of the duct 26. The inlet valve 25, which carries a fuel-injection valve, is worked by a rocker 21b which bears on a plate 35 guided in its movement by a projection 36 ; the plate bears on a washer fixed to the valve stem 34, the valveclosing spring 35a acting on this washer. The fuel valve is opened by the rocker 34a. The cam shafts 9, 9a are driven at half-speed through gearing including an axially adjustable pinion with helical teeth ; by movement of this pinion the working of the valves and sleeve 7 mav be advanced for higher speeds, the ignition being earlier. Starting.-Attached to the arms 8 carrying the cam bowls which work the sleeve 7 are two pins 18 formed with slots 19 at their ends ; bars are passed through these slots and during normal running do not affect the reciprocation of the pins and sleeve. At starting, these bars are pulled to bring cam projections thereon into the slots in the pins, thereby raising the sleeve to its top position and holding it there.