US1024166A - Rotary machine. - Google Patents

Description

H. L. WBED.

' ROTARY MACHINE. APPLIGATIQ'N FILED mmm, 1911,

ozaafx n weed;

Patented A101223, 1912.

'sHEETs-SHEBT 1.

H. L.'WEED. ROTARY MACHINE. yAPPLICA'LI0N FILED FEB.15, 1911.

Patented A131223, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

y la

H. L. WERD. ROTARY MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.15, `1911.

1,024,166. Patented Apr. 2s, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3,.

fia/wh H. L. WEEDY RUTARY MACHINE.

APPLICATION M LED rm.15,1911.

1,024,1 66 Patend Apr. 23, 19.12.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4'.

` citizen ,of theA United States,

HOWARD L. WERD, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

vROTARY MACHINE. y

Specification of Iietters PatentI rApplication'filed February 15, 1911.

Patented Apr. 23, will?. serial No. 608,804..

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that LHownnn L. llVnnn, a residing at Los Angeles, 1n the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Rotary Machine, of which the' following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary machines and is herein illustrated as embodied in a rotary internal combustion engine, I although the general featuresv of the invention are applicable generally in connection with other rotary machines, such as steam, air, or water motors orpumps and air compressors. The invention relates more especially to the typeof rotary machines in which a plurality of piston devices are mounted to move in a working chamber in such manner that each piston acts alternately as a stationary abutment and as an advancing piston, and the advancing piston being connected to a shaft in such manner as to effect rotation of the shaft, the space between the stationary and advancing piston serving as the chamber for operation of the iiuid pressure.

The main object of thefpresent invention is to provide, in a machine of this character, for positive 'and continual operative connection between the pistons onsetsof pistons and the shaft, whereby a smooth uniform action is secured.

Withv particular reference to internal combustion engines, a further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the movement of the pistons is controlled in such manner t-hat their operation will be cushioned, each piston being accelerated and Aretardedby Huid pressure and arrested substantially without jar.

Another object of the invention in connection with an internal combustion engine, is to provide means for cooling the pistons.

Another object of the invention is to provide Vimproved means for scavenging the working chambers of a rotary internal combustion engine.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an internal combustion engine embodying the invention, and referring thereto: Figure 1 `is a longitudinal section of the engine, part `of the bearings being shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line :rh-:r2 in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a section on line 'w3-w3 y8 fitting tightly on one another,

of the annular flanges 7 which in Fig. l, showing 'the starting mechanism. Fig. 4 is a section on line .rt-a1 in Fig. l. Fig. 4a is a section on line .fc-m in Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a section on' line 0:5 4135 in Fig. Il. Fig. 6 is an elevation of one of the casing members with a piston member contained therein. Fig 7 is a side elevation of the other piston member. Fig. 8 is a perspective of one of the differential members for supporting one of the piston members with adjacent points partly broken away. Fig. E) is a section on line aeg-4s in Fig. 2. Fig. l() is an inverted perspective of a portion of the rim of the cylinder shells, showing the clamping means for securing said shells together. p

Therworking chamber or Acasing of the machine is formed in two halves l and l', each formed as an annular member withan annular recess, so that when the two annular members are brought together they will form an annular chamber, circular in cross-section, the form of said chamber being that of a torus or volume generated by the revolution of a circle around an axis. The shaft 2 of theen'gine is 'coaxial with the said casing and is mounted to rotate in bearings 3, for example, roller bearings on frame members 4, 4', which may be formed integrally with the respective casing portions l and l. Said frame portions and casing may be supported on any suitable means, not shown, and the casing por tions being secured together in any suitable manner, `for example, by means of clamps 6 (Figs. 1, 2 and l0), said clamps G being U-shaped and embracing annular ianges 7 extending outwardly from the respective casing portions l and 1, and abutting against one another. The said annular'tlanges 7 may be formed with concave enlarged portions, indicated at 9 in Fig. l0, and the said clamps 6 may be provided with correspondingly convex portions 8, said portions 9 and i so that by placing the Ushaped clamps overa portion are between the tightly litting portions and then pressing said clamps onto thel said fitting portions as by hydraulic pressure, the parts ,will be brought into tight engagement, so

as to hold the members land l. in rigid connection. Keys ll may be provided. extending clamps 6, so as to be held in place thereby, said keys servin cross slots 12 in the annular j `flanges 7, and beneath the ing to hold the casing members and 1 4against, relativerotary displacement. Y

-Two piston members are provided, each 'comprising a carrier 13 and a plurality of pistons, for example, two diametrically opposite pistons 14 and 14 on one carrier and two diametri'cally opposite pistons 15 and 15 on the other carrier, and said piston members `\are placed 'within the casing in suchmanner `that the pistons 15, 15 of one piston member are interposed between or alternatedwith the pistons 14 and 14 of the other piston member. Said piston mem-s bers aremounted to rotate coaxially with the shaft 2l and are connected thereto through differential means, as hereinafter set forth. Said differential means comprise two differential members, each formed wit-h .a sleeve 416 mounted to rotate around the shaft 2,* by means of roller bearings 17 and held againstoutward or end thrust, as by means of a ball bearing18 at the outer end of each of said differential members. At

' their inner ends, said differential members.

are provided with annular gears 19 engagingon opposite sides of a series or plurality of pinions 20- mounted on stud-shafts 21 carried by a collar 22 fastened tothe shaft 2. Each stud-shaft 21 is seated in a recess 21 in said collar, and is held by a pin`23 engaging in a notch 25 in said stud-shaft. Said pins 23 are locked in position by split lrings 2.6 which are snapped into annular grooves in said collars. A ball bearing is provided at the outer end of said stud-shaft,

-for taking end thrust, said bearing consisting, for example, of balls 27 running in a race-way 28"in said shaft and engaging between a head 29 oI saidshaft and a shoulder 30 on the pinions 20. Said shafts 21 also extend into seats 31 formed in flanges or ribs 32 on thelshaft 2, said ribs engaging in longitudinal grooves 33 in the collar 22' to hold the same from circumferential displacementg'the engagementiof said shafts 21 with said ribs holding the said collar from longitudinal displacement The thrust bearing at the outer end of each differential member comprises balls 18, a ring 34 receiving and engaging said balls on one side and 'engaging th'e outer ends of the 'differential members on the other side, and aV ring 35 engaging said balls and carried by a member 36 keyed on shaft 2 yby ribs 37 and' held from endwise displacement by, a split `ring 38 inserted in notches 39-in ribs 37. A

ring 39 engages between member 36I and rollers 3. The outer ends of rollers 3 engage a ring 40 held against the frame4 by means hereinafter set forth. To enable insertion of members 36 Aand 39', a bushing 41 is provided of larger diameter than said members, said bushing being inserted in frame 4 around rollers 3, after the said members 36 and 39 are in place. The twov differential members 16 are connected to the shaft 2 vthrough the intermediate differential. member consisting of the A. collar 22 and the pinions carried thereby, and on account of the plurality of pinions.

employed there is no play or lost-motion vbetween the 'partsgin a rotary direction. Any longitudinal -play or lost-motion4 is prevented by the end-thrust bearings. -18

and -by the engagement of the gears 19` on the diderential members with the pinions 20. The two piston members are connected respectively to the "twodiflerential members 16 land preferably in such manner as toallow of a limited amount of longitudinal adjustment or relative motion' so that the parts can adjust themselves to one l another. For this purpose the two pistoni carriers 13 are provided with hub portions yformed as sleeves 43 extending over ,the sleeves 16 of the differential members, and engaging therewith so as to rotate with the differential members, butto have a limited longitudinal movement thereon. The sleeves i 43 on the piston members may, for this purpose, be provided with longitudinal ribs or 13 may be closed by packing rings 50 fitting in grooves '51 in annular fianges 52 on said carriers, and the joint between said carriers and the casing at each side may be closed by packing rings 53 fitting annular grooves 54 in said casing and engaging with vannular flanges 55 on the respective carrier members. Said -packing rings 53 may be pressed against the respective anges 55 by springs 56 'seated in pockets in the respective casing members and bearing against plungers 57 contacting With said rings, the

pressure of saidL springs lbeing adjusted by nuts 58. It will be understood that' the pressure exerted by these springs on the Piston carriers 13 are 'provided for the re-n flanges 44 adapted lto embrace and fit s'lid- 4 outer packing means 53 is communicated through. the flanges 55 to therespective carriers, thereby pressing the carriers together, and closing tightly the packed joint between the said carriers. By the 'abovedescribed construction, I provide a piston and working chamber packing Which effectuallymaintains air-tight joints at all times, this being of especial advantage in connection with compression when the machine is used yas an internal combustion engine.

`The machine elements so far described are of general utility in connection with rotary machines of the general character, above re ferred to.

I will now proceed to describethose features of my invention which relate particularly to the adaptation of the machine for use in an internal combustion engine.

On account of the high temperature cX- isting within the working chamber of the engine, it is desirable to provide means t'or cooling the pistons as wel as the casing of the engine. For this purpose a. fan, indicated at 60 is mounted on a sha-ft (5l on a portionof the frame and is inclosed in a casing 62 surrounding the upper port-ion ot' the working casing l, l, said fan being operated by any suitable means, asby means of a belt G3' and pulleys G4: and 65 from the shaft 2, to cause a current of air to pass over and around the working casing. The two members l and l of the casing ofthe engine are provided with ribs or flanges GG for increasing the heat 'transmitting surface, said lribs being so curved or formed as to lead or guide the air currents downwardly within the outer casing 62 to the lower part of the outside of the casing l, l.

To provide for cooling the pistons, each piston is formed hollow, or with an internal chamber 68, said 'chamber'beingdivided by a partition (39 extending at about the median plane of the piston, Isaid partition being formed with openings at each side for passage of air therearound, adjacent to the end walls of the iston, segmental ribs 71 being provided on said end walls for facilitating heat transmission. The internal chamber-GS ofeach piston communicates with a hollow arni 73 connecting said piston with the supporting sleeve 43, and the said partition G9 extends into said hollow arm so as to divide the opening at the inner end of said arm into inlet and outlet portions 7G and 80. The piston carriers 13 are formed with their peripheral faces concaved'so as to form a part of the wall of the working chamber, the circular pistons on each carrier sliding over such peripheral portions of the other carrier. Each of the said carriers is further provided with an annular flange 75 surrounding the sleeve 43 of thc carrier and forming with said sleeve, an annular passage or chamber 75" into which the inlet 76 communicates, said inlet leading to the space within the piston. 'A segment 77 fits between said annular flange and sleeve closing the-lower part of said annular passage, said segment being supported by a conduit 7 9 or 7 9 whose lower end is segmental and opens into the upper portionv of the said'annularV passage 75, the upper end of said conduit communicating-With the interior of the .air casing 62, so that fresh air is continually being supplied from the fan through the saidconduitsto the inlets 7 G leading t-o the inte'rior of the pistons. The air passes through outlets S0 from the interior ot' `the pistons and through the space between the y internal ilanges S2 of the casing members l lcarriers 13.

Each piston is provided with openings 83 iii its periphery at each side thereof said openings on one side communicating in the revolution of the pistons with exhaust ports Si in the side wall of casing l, said ports leading tothe outlet or lexhaust pipe S5. The said ports Si are separated by bridges Sti forming part of the wall of the casing 1, so as to retain the packing rings of the piston in position as they sweep over the said ports. Adjacent to and forwardly of said exhaust ports with respect to the direction of rotation, .the casing l on the other side of the machine is provided with a swell or chamber S7 of sufIicicntlength tq communicate at one and the same tiinewith the openings 83 in the piston, and with the space within the casing, directly in rear of the piston, so that during such time of communication air may passfrom the interior of the piston through the openings 83, into the space in rear of the piston, and thence out through the exhaust ports 84 to seavenge or clear the said space of exhaust gases. A

vflange 88 extends from the casing l so as to cover the outlet passages S9 between the casing and thc annular flange at this portion of the revolution so that all of the air passing into the piston is forced to discharge through the course aforesaid, to insure scavenging action. Intake or inlet ports 90 for combustible or explosive mixture are provided inthe casing l, somewhat forA wardly of the position of the exhaust ports, say somewhat less than 9 00, these inlet ports being separated by bridges 91 for carrying over the piston packings, and being connected to the supply pipe 92 for induction of the mixture. These inlet ports are so arranged with reference to the openings in the pistons that the ports are closed by the portions of the pistons between said openings as the pistons pass .the ports, thereby keeping the air from the pistons from blowing through into the intake pipe. Bridges 87 are provided "over chamber S7 for retaining the piston rings in place.

Ignition may be effected by spark plugs 94 mounted in the casing portions l and l', respectively, and connected by wires 95 to any suitable means for supplying high tension current, for example, a magneto indicated at 96.

ates alternately as a stationary abutment,

and as an advancing piston. Under these conditions the operation of the differential devices above described, ris such that the shaft` .2 rotates' at one-half the velocity of the advancing piston member, the pinions 20 connected to said shaft gearing with the stationary gear on the temporarily stationary ditlerentlal member, so, that the advancing differential gear rotates at twice the velocity of the shaft 2. AThe means for holding the abutment pistons from backward movement consists of a dog or detent- 9T pivoted at 9T within a recess 08 formed in a flange 99 ou the casing member 1 or 1 at each side of the machine, this dog being pressed by a spring 100 sov asl to .throw Aits outer end intothe pathl of a shoulder or projection 101 of the t v pistoncarrier.

Said shoulder is formed at the' front of an arm' 103 on flange 75 of hub 43'. 'Means are also provided for temporarily restraining the forward movement of each piston so that it is not allowed to advance prematurely under `the pressure of the fluid behind it. This means comprises a shaft- 105 'mounted to rotate in bearings, for example, roller bearings 106 at each side of the machine'and carrying a pinion 107 engaging a gear constituting the Vmember 36 aforesaid', and said shaft 105 carrying two stop-devices engaging alternately with the piston member. One of' said stop-devices consists of- 'a projection 108, preferably formed as a'roll'er, on a slide 100 mounted to slide vertically in guide-ways 110 ou the flan e 99, saidslide being operated by a link rom a crank' 112 on the shaft 105 aforei said, so as to be movedinto and out of the path of a roller 104- mounted in the projec tion 103 on the piston carrier. -jThe other stop-device consists'of an arm .114 secured to said` shaft 105 and carrying a projection formed as a roller 115 adapted to engage with a shoulder or stop means formed as a roller'1i16 mounted lin the'slceve 16 ofY the dilferential memberon that side of thefma-l chine. Two diametrically oppositevrollers 104 and two diametrically opposite. rollers 116 are' provided for each piston carrier.

Any, suitable starting means may be provided, for example, that shown in Figs. 1

and`3, comprising a fly-wheel of momentum device, means for normally providing connection between said momentum device and the engine, a rotary manually operated device and means for temporarily transferring the connection ofsaidftly-wheel from "the en- "eine fice. The tly-Wheehindicated at 11,8, is

to said rotary manually operated demounted to rotate on a shaft 119, carried by a block 120-mounted1to slide on the frame Ll by means of rods 1.21 secured in said block 120, and sliding'in said framepll.,

Springs 122 engage with the said frame and withcollar 123 on said' rods, so as to t tend to draw the block 120 in position to:

maintain'a cone-wheel 125 on shaft 1.19 in contact with a vfriction-cone surface. 126 on awheel 126 keyed on shaft' Another wheel '127 opposite wheel 126 is mounted toA rotate freely on the shaft 2 and carries a conical friction face 127 adapted to engage with the cone-Wheelg125 when the block 120 is pulled out as by operation of any suitable controlling means. Said Wheel 12'( also carries a gear 131/engagng with af gear 132 von ya shaft 133,- said shaftbeing mounted in a bracket 134 provided .with a socket 135 for receiving a manual operating means, such as a cranlrindicated.in dotted lines at 136. The outer end of the shaft 133 provided with ratchet means 137 for engaging correspondingmeans onthe starting rrank and a spring 13S is provided, jengag ing with the inner end of the socket 1311, and

with a collar 139 onshaft 133 to resiliently hold the ratchet means 137 in contact with the starting crank. The -wheel 126 'may be provided with :1 -gear 140 for engagement with a pinion 1111 driving magneto 96 aforesaid. 128 designates aspring packing. for preventing leakage of oir from .the ball bearing 129 for wheel'126. Oil supplyv connec tions 142- and oil drainage connections 14,3, 143 are provided for the various bearings and working surfaces. vBall bearing 129.`

holds ring L10 in place.r

The operation of the three differential members is such, that if one pistonmember moves forward at' the sameangular velocity as that of the shaft 2, the other piston member is compelled to move forward at the ame angular velocity; if one piston member moves forward at an angular velocity greater than that of the shaft 2, then the otherpiston member moves forward at a'slower angular velocity than that of shaft 2, and yice versa; if one piston member-moves forward at double the angular velocity of the shaft 2, theother piston member remains stationary, and viceversa; if one piston member moves forward at more than double the angular .velocity of the shaft 2,the other piston member moves backward, and vice versa,

'The operation is`as follows :A To start l'the engine, the `crank 136, is -brought into engagement with the ratchet 137 and the con trolling means'aforesaid,' is moved to draw the friction-cone out of engagement with wheel surface 126 and into engagementwith wheel surface 127', By rapidly ro- I 'i as follows: Starting tating the crank by manual operation, the fly-wheel 118 is rotated at a ,high velocity and when sufficient speed of the-fiy-wh'eel has thus been attained, the controlling device is shifted, allowing the wheel 125 to come into vcontact with the' surface126, thereby bringing the iy-wheel into operative connectionl with the main shaft 2 of the engine and causing said main shaft to be set in rotation by the momentum of the The parts are so proportioned that the rotative velocity of the fly-wl eel 1s much greater than that of the main shaft' 2, so that its momentum is correspondingly effective. Assuming the vengine to have been set in rotation in this manner, the ,operationffor' each cycle or revolution proceeds at the position shown in Fig. 2, one set of pistons 14 and 14 is held stationary by engagement of the shoulon `the carrier member thereof lwith of the said stationary set, and is just being released by disengagement of stop-devices 115 and 116, as shown in Fig. 4, it being vunderstood that the detent 97 which is operated at this time is on the. other side of the machine from that shown in Fig. 4. The space indicated at 144 between lower pistons 14 and 15 is at this time l lled with air;V the space l145 in front of of the rear piston.

the forward lower piston 15 and between said piston and the upper rear piston 14 is occupied by combustible mixturesupplied by any suitable means, been drawn in in thefpreceding operation; the space 146 between the two upper pistons 14` and 15 is occupied by compressed mixture and the space 147 between the forward upper piston 15 and the lower rear piston 14 is occupied byproducts of combustion from the preceding operation. At the time corresponding to this position, the electric sparking devices-are operated to produce a spark at one of thespark plugs 94 and the compressed mixture in the space 146 is thereupon exploded or burned, producing an augmented pressure in the space 146,'resulting in an operative or driving pressur'eon the rear face of the forward piston, anda backward pressure on the front face Said forward piston 15 is at this moment released by disengagement of the projection 116 from stop-device 115 and is then free to move forward and the rear piston 14 being held from back movement by detent 97, said forward piston is reason ofthe engagement of the carrier members 13 thereof with the corresponding differential member 1 6,

said differential member is also rotated. This rot-ation o-f the differential member causes the main shaft 2 to rotate athalf the angular .velocity of said intermediate lower forward piston approaches the lower rear the two Said mixture having differential member and piston carrier, the

`gear member 20 meshing with theeaforesaid differential member, with the other differential member 16 which at. this time is stationary, being held from back' movement by the detent 97 and the pressure on said stationary differential member being backward by reason of the pressure in the combustion space' or chamber 146. As the upper forward piston 15 moves forward in this manner, it. pushes thel foul gases in the space 147 in front of said piston out through the exhaust ports-84. At the same time the other aiston-l which is carried l by the same carrier member, namely the the upper rear Vpiston and compresses the mixture present in the chamber or space 145 between said pistons, and also as it moves away from piston member, draws in fresh mixture from the inlet ports 90 into the space between the two lower pistons. Fresh airis forced in from 60, into the interior of the pistons through conduits 79 and 79', and inlets 76, this fresh air circulating through the passages in the pistons s'o as to cool the piston and escaping, during the greater portion of the cycle, through the `outlets 89. But while the upper forward piston is moving forward and pushing out the foul air from space 147, the lower rear piston is within the swell or chamber 87 in the casing 1, allowing air to rush from the interior of the hollow piston through the openings S3 ofsaid chamber across the space between the said piston and the following piston, the outlets being closed at this time by flanges SS so as to cause all the air supplied by the fan to pass Aacross said space, thereby-clearing or, scavreaches the exha.ust port and the chamber-n 87, it also allows air to pass through the lholes S3, into the exhaust, completingthe scavenging action. All four steps of a cycle of operation, viz: combustion, clearance, intake and compression, are therefore performed at the same time by this movement of the advancing piston member.

It will be understood that as the upper forward piston advances as above described, the pressure due to the explosion or combustion of the gases behind said piston progressively decreases while at the same time the pressure in front of the lower advancing vpiston due to'compression of mixture in the space 145, progressively increases, so that there is a point in the revolution of said pistons where the advancing and retarding pressures on the moving piston member are balanced and as soon as this point is reached, the pressure on the upper rear piston 14 becomes greater on its rear than on its front face, and the corresponding piston carrier begins to move forward under the differencev of pressure on the rear and'front faces of said upper piston. 4The upper piston 14 may now be regarded as the upper forward piston and the piston 15 which is shown in Fig. 2 as tlie forwardlower iston, has at this time ascended until it is irectly belowl this upper piston 14. This piston 14 then moves forward slowly until it is arrested by engagement pf the roller 1'04 on the cor'- responding "carrier with thestop-device 108 on' the slide 109, saidsli,de}being at this time brought almost tof-its lowest position by operation of the crank 112.5 The main shaft .2 and shafts 105: are at this time moving forward by momentum ofthe parts and ata certaiiiypoint inthe revolution, for example," just as tliestop device 108 is disengaged. from roller 104 by descent of4 slide 109, the lug 114 brings the projection 115 into further engagement with the shoulder .116l on the differentialmember for lthe earvrier for tliepistons ,14 and 14', whereupon the two iston members move forward together, t e arrangement of the parte being such-thatthe rotation ofl the'arm 114 allows the shoulder 116 and ,the carrier forpistons 14 and 14 to move forwardly at the -same angular velocity as the shaft 2, and as said pistons are connected to the' pistons 15 and 15 and to the shaft 2 by the differential', the two sets of pistons move forward at the samevelocity for aliinited angulardistance.

In this movement of the pistonst'ogetlier, the differential 'moves bodily, relative motion of the parts thereof having ceased and the rate of'moveinent is that of the main shaft. In fact, the advancing pistons are gradually retarded by the effect of the coinpression and diminishing operative pressure.

as above indicated, so that there is a smooth transition from condition of maximum velocity of one piston with stationary condition of the other piston member, and full relative -motion of the differential, to the condition in wli-ich both piston members are advancing at the saine velocity with no relative'niotion in the differential, and during this transition, tlie differential accommodates itself so as to-maintaiii'uniform veloc-` ity on the main shaft. The piston 15 which yhas been the upper forward piston now becomes the rear lower piston', the two lower pistons moving forwardly until said rear.

lower piston passes-a position for engagenient of the detent 97 with 'the projection' 101. As soon as said projection passes said .-detent, said detent springs into position back of said projection and the effect of the" Viiiixture between said pistons in space 146, the pistons 415 and i5', are arrested, their 'back movement being stopped by the eii-v `gagement of shoulders 111 on the` corresponding carrier with the detent 97. This arresttakes place immediately after the passage of the deteiit by the shoulder means so 'that the actualback movement of the pis-v tons 15 and 15 is very slight. l

What I claim is 1. An internal combustion rotary engine, comprising ashaft, a casing formed with a `working chamber extending around said shaft, two differential members mounted to..

rotate independently on said shaft, an intermediate differential means connected to tlie aforesaid differential members land connected to rotate with the shaft,J pistons connected to -tlie respective differential members and arranged within the working chamber of the casing, meansfor supplying combustible mixture to said casing, outlet means for the discharge of exploded gases' fromv said lcasing-.ports for said inlet and outlet' means controlled by the movement ofthe piston, ignition means in said casing'and means for controlling 'the movement of said pistons to provide for'suction of the mixture into the casing between thewpistons, compression of the mixture so drawn in, separation of the pistons 'under the-expansion ofK the ignitedk mixture` and expulsion of. the

mixture from between the pistons.v s

of a shaft, a casingsurroundin and provided with a working c amber extending aroundthe shaft, two' differential 2. `In a rotary machine, thecombination. the shaft4 members mounted to rotate'i'ndependently on said shaft 'and provided with gears, an.. intermediate differential 'member's'ecuredon v said shaft torotate therewitli'fand provided with gears engaging-'the gearsof botli"'th"e aforesaid differential membersycarrier ineinbers mounted respectively on" said differential members `to rotatel therewith but slidable longitudinally thereon, and pistons car-v ried by said carrier inembers'and tting in said workingchainber. f f' 8. A rotary machine comprising-a shaft, y

a casing extending around-'the shaft and formed in ltwo. parts divided on zu plane said part-s having an outwardly extending iis transverse to the axis' of the shaft, each of' iiange, clamps extending over the fianges of rotate independently on said shaft and pro.

vided with gears, an intermediate differeiis,

tial meinbercarried by said s'liaft and provided with gears engaging the gears of thev aforesaid differential members, carriers i mounted on said dierential members -to rotate therewith but capable of limited lon-- said casing parts to hold-said casing parts together, said two parts of the casing beingl formed with a chamber extending around the shaft, diiferential members mounted to rotate independentlyL on'said shaft and provided with gears, an intermediate differential member carried by said shaft and provided withgears engaging the gears of the aforesaid differential members, carriers mounted on. said diii'erentiall members to rotate therewith but capable of limited longitudinal motion thereon, pistons carried by said carriers and working in said chamber in the said casing, and packing rings ex-` tending between said parts of said casing and the adjacent piston carriers and between the said carriers. i

5. An internal coinbust-ion rotary engine comprising a shaft, a casing formed with a working chamber. extending around said shaft, two diiferential members mounted to rotatelind-e endentlyon said shaft, an intermediate di erential means connected to the aforesaid differential members and connected to rot-ate `with the shaft, ca'rriers connected to said differential members,la set of pistons o n each of said carriers and arranged alternately within the working chamber of .the casing, saidv easing being provided with inlet means 'fat one portion thereof and outlet means at another 'port-ion thereof, ignition means in the casing atthe portion thereof intermediate between`the inlet and outlet aneans, and means for holding one of said sots of pistons from backward movement after it passes the outlet means and.

before it passes the inlet means, whereby said pistons act as abutments during the advance movement of the other 'pistons under the action of the pressure diie to the combustion.

6. An internal combustion rotary engine comprising a shaft, a casing formed with a .working chamber extending around said shaft, two differential members mounted to rotate independently on said shaft, an inter-' mediate differential inea-ns connected to the aforesaid differential members and `connected to rotate wit-h the shaft, carriers con-l nected to said di-iTerent-ial members, a set of pistons on each of. said carriers and arranged alternately within the working chamber of the casing, said casing being-provided with inlet means at one port-ion thereof and outlet means at another portion thereof, ignition means in the casing at the portion thereof Aintermediate between the inlet and outlet means, and 'neans for holding one of saidv sets of pistons from backward`move ment after itpasscs the outlet means and before it passes the inlet means, whereby said pistons act as abutments during the advance movement of the other pistons under the action of the pressure due to the conibustion, and means connected to be operated by the said shaft and engaging with the respective carriers for the pistonsto rcst-rain the forward movement of the advancing set of pistons during the portion of the revolution betweenthe' time of coinpiession and the time of combustion.

7 An internal combustion rotary engine :comprising a shaft, a casing formed with a working chamber extending around said shaft, two differential members mounted to rotate independently on saidlshaft,V14 an intermediate diiferentiail means connected toi the aforesaid differential members and connected to rotate with the shaft, carriers connected to said differential members, a set of pistons on each of said carriers and arranged alternately within the working chamber of the casing, said casing being provided withfinlet means at one portion thereof and out-let means at 'another portion thereof, ignition means in the casing at the portion thereof intermediate between the inlet and outlet means, means for holding one of 4said sets of pistons from:1A backward movement after it passesthe outlet means and before it passes the inlet means, whereby said pistons act as abutments during the advance movement of the other pistons under the action of the pressure due toA the combustion, and stop means connected to be operated by the said `shaft. and comprising means engaging the respective carriers to arrest one of said carriers at a determinate point in the revolution and with stop means engaging said carrier immediately after the release of the aforesaid stop means and restraining the forward movement of said carrier, said second stop means being connected to the said shaft to move at a corresponding velocity, so that the carrier engaged thereby inovesat the same angularI velocity as the said shaft during the time of restraint.

8. An internal combustion rotary engine, comprising a casing formed with a. working chamber and a hollow piston mounted to move therein, an arm connected `to said piston and provided with inlet and outlet openings communicating with the interior of the piston, conduit means having passages ex# tending adjacent to the rotative path of the inlet opening in said arm, and means for forcing air through said conduit means.

9. An'internal combustion rotary engine,

, with openings at* each side of said partition,

adjacent to the forward and rear 'walls thereof. l

10. An internal combustion rotary engine, comprising a casing formed with a working chamber and a hollow piston mounted to move therein, an arm connected to said piston and provided with; inlet and 'outlet'openvings communicating with the interior of the pistn, lconduit means for forcing air through said hollow piston, said piston being provided -with a partition extending across the interior of the piston, and with openings at each side of said partition, adjacentto the forward and rear walls thereof, .and said piston having iangcson the -inside of its front and rear walls extending between said partition.

11. In an internal combustion rotary enginethe combination of a shaft, a casing formed with a working chamber extending around the shaft, pistons mounted in said working chamber togmove therein 4and connected to'said shaftto operate the shaft, said pistons being hollow and being provided .with air 'inlet and out-let'passages and with supplementary openings in their peripher- .-ies,'and air supply means communicating with the said inlet passage of the pistons and with a` chamber in one wall thereof conimunicating simultaneously with said open-1 'ings in the piston and with a portion of the..

working chamber in communication withthe exhaust orts7 to allow scavenging of said chamber y air` passing from the piston. v

12. 4In an internal `combustion engine,'the combination of a shaft, a casing formed with a work-ing chamber extending around the shaft, pistons mounted in said Working chamber to move therein, a carrier for said pistons connected to operate the shaft, said pistons being hollow a-nd vbeing provided with air inlet and outlet-passages and said carrier being provided with an annular passage communicating with said inlet passages of the. pistons, and air supply means communicating wit-h said annular passage in the said carrier for supplying air into the interior of the piston. i

13. An internal combustion rotary engine, comprising ashaft, a casing formed with a working chamber extending around said shaft, two differential members mounted to rotate inde `endently on said shaft, an intermediate Vdi erential means connected to the aforesaid differential members` and connected to rotate with the shaft, pistons connected to the said differential members, said vcasing being provided with inlet means latone porr tion thereof and outlet means at another portion thereof, ignition means in. the casing at the portion thereof intermediate between the inlet and outlet means, and means for holding one of said sets of pistons from backward movement after it passes the out-` let means and' before it passes the inlet means, whereby said pistons act as abutments during the advance movement of the otherA pistons under the action of the pressure due to thecombustion.

` 14. An internal combustion'rotary engine,

rotate inde endently on said shaft-,an intermediatedi erential means connected to the aforesaid differential members and connected to rotate with the shaft,pisto'ns connected to said differential members, said casing being provided with inlet means at one portion thereof, and outlet means at another por tionv thereof, ignition' means in the casing at the `portion thereof intermediate between the inlet'and'outlet means,` and means for.

holding one of said sets of pistons from backward movement after it passes .the outlet means and before it passes the inlet means, whereby lsaid pistons act as abutments during theiadvance movement of the other'pistons under the action of the pressure due to the combustion, and means connectedlto be operated by thev said shaft and engaging with the respective carriers for thepistons to restrain the forward movement of the advancing set of pistons during the portion of the revolution between the time'of compression and the time of combustion.

In testimony. whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles California this 7 th l day of February, 1911.v

l HOWARD L. 'WEER' In presence of' I ARTHUR I?.l KNIGHT, -F-RANK L. A. GRAHAM,

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