US1366636A - Internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

G. E. CONWAY.

, INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

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P uw m a Y. A M D u ...h N 0 n A w n P 'il A ATTORNEY G. E. CONWAY. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.v

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3| 1919. 1,366,636.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

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6. E. CONWAY. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

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A TTU/MEV PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. CONWAY, OFTENAFLY, JERSEY.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTI'ON ENGNE.

Lacasse.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 25, 192i..

Application ined May s, 1919. serial No. 29e-,373.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. CONWAY, a citizen of the United States, residin at Tenaiy, in the county of Bergen and tate of4 New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

- The invention relates to motors for airplane and like service in which economy of space and weight are important factors, and thel object of the invention is to provide an engine in which the disposition of the cylinders, preferably tandem, permits the engine to be very, compact and to occupy but little space in cross-section; and disposing the pistons in such cylinders so that the power impulses are applied O11l Opposite sides of the crank-shaft, thereby balancing the effect of the impulses and eliminating vibration.'

A further object is, by the arrangement I of cylinders and pistons, to obtain the ad#` vantages of longcompression strokes with a reduced piston-speed, and to obtain 4an increase in explosions without exceeding the limit of maximum piston-speed, thus increasing the efficiency or horsepower Output. Another general object is to provide an engine in which the valve-operating, and lubricating means are simple and positive, and which is entirely self-contained, easily constructed and economically maintained.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement by which the above objectscare attained, to

`be hereinafter described and claimed.

for airplane service.

-Figure 1 is a plan view of the engine with `a portion of the casing removed, and partly in horizontal section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in vertical section..

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, on a lar er scale, showing the valveoperating mec anism.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showin one of the double pistons and the lu ricating means therefor. v

Fig. 5 is a transverse section through the casing and cylinder, showing the arrangement of iston-bars through which'motion is transmitted .to the crank-shafts.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the ar'langement 'of the cranks diagrammatica y.

Similar letters Vof reference indicate the same parts-in all the figures.

ln the invention as shown in the drawings the cylinders are disposed horizontally in two series, side by side in the same plane, four cylinders in each series, mounted in the bed portion of a casing which with its cover incloses the engine and also serves as the frame for the latter. The cylinders of each series are in axial alinement Or'tandem to each-other. y

The arrangement on each side of the center line of'the casing is a counterpart of the other and the c linders of only one seriesv zontal joint between them. Each cylinder' is open atl the ends and separated from the next, and contains two pistons arranged to move oppositely, the space between the piston-heads serving as a combustion hamber in which the mixture of hydrocarbon and air is received, compressed and exploded, and from which the exhaust or spent gases are expelled and led away. The force of the explosion is exerted to separate the pistonheads.

The extreme end pistons B and B7 are single and reciprocate in the outer ends of the cylinders Av and A3; the intermediate pistons are double, or in pairs xedly joined` together, one in eachA adjacent cylinder. The double pistons B1 B2 are received in the adjacent ends of cylinders A, A1, the pistons B8 B4 in the cylinders A1, A2, and the pistons B5, B6 in cylinders A2, A1.

Suiicient space is provided between the adjacent ends of the intermediate cylinders and beyond the ends of the outer cylinders A, A3 to permit arms connected to the Vpistons to extend radially and oppositely outward beyond the cylinders and reclprocate freely in s aces m provided therefor in the casing M, 1, transmitting the movements of the pistons to four piston-bars arranged parallel with the cylinders and adapted to act on a crank-shaft. Two of the bars D and D1 lie in a plane horizontally with the axial line of the cylinders, and the other pair D2 D8 lie in a vertical plane at a right hev arms C of the double pistons B1 B2 and B5 B6 are secured to thehorizontall arranged bars D and D1, and the arms 1 of the single pistons B and B" and arms C2 of the double piston B3 B1 are secured to the vertically arranged piston-bars D2 D3. Obviously all the pistons thus connected reciprocate together as a unitary whole and 1n coaction with the others condition the Y .ranged oppositely but in the same plane with each other, and on trunnions at the sides of,the arms C1 at the front, are connecting rods E2 E3 from the piston-bars D2 D3, to the intermediate cranks F2 F 3 on the crank-shaft F, in the same plane as the cranks F1 F1 but `extending oppositely thereto. The crank-shaft F lies transversely of the casing and is mounted in bearings M2 therein.4

The companion series of cylinders and pistons is similarly equipped and arranged to act on the cranks G1, G2, G3 and G4 of a crank-shaft G, in line with the shaft F, but with its cranks set at a right angle to those on the latter, see Fig. 6.

On each crank-shaft. shown as between the cranks F2 F3 and G2 G3, is .a beveled gearlwheel H2 in mesh with a beveled 4gearwheel H1 on a short propeller shaft H extending forwardly parallel with the "cylinders 4and mounted in bearings in the casing M, M1, one of which is thel outboard antifriction thrust bearing M3. r

On the inner end of the propeller shaft is a pinion H3 in mesh with av gearwheel I1 on a drive-shaft I mounted in bearings in the cover M1 and centrally between and parallel with the two series of cylinders. The drive-shaft carries pinions I2 in `mesh with a corresponding series of mounted on studs set in the chambers M'1 ofthe casing. Each wheel J carries a cam .I1-on one face and a similar cam J 2 on the opposite face set at a right angle to the first.

The cams operate inlet and exhaust of the cylinders.

the valves controlling the passages from the ports a he valves are of the mushroom typev mounted in the casing-cover M1 with their stems horizontal and parallel with the'cyllnders and drive-shafty I and in alinement with each' other. Each wheel'J operates two opposltely disposed valves vcontrolling either inlet or exhaust passages.

The stem K1 of each valve K K2 screwed thereon provided K1 adapted to be move the valve has a sleeve with'a nose cted upon by the cam and xially from its seat and vtions M and M1 gearwheels Jv' corresponding notch Z in the fork L1 of the bifurcated arm of a bell-crank lever L fulcrumed at Z1 on the casing below the valve stem and having a short arm L2 carrying a rod L3 extending downwardly through the casing. The rod Ils-carries a head L1 forming an abutment for the lower end of an expansion spring L5 abutting at the upper end against the casing, and exerting its force through the lcvelfL to hold the valve yieldingly to its seatf* The electrical distribution to the several spark-plugs P of the ignition system, is effected through mechanism, not shown, which may be as usual, located in a portion M6 of the casing, see Fig. 2, and `actuated from -a beveled gearwheel I3 on the drive- .70 and stem to hold these past the exhaust valves to thev passages N8 N 3 which are all connected by a manifold, not shown, and led away as usual.,i

As -before stated the casing is in two porjoined together, and is water-jackets M4r through which the cooling liquid is circulated by any suitable pump, not shown, o erated from the drive-shaft I. The casing kalso serves as the4 frame for the engine and completely incloses the-latter.

Lubricating oil is forced bv a pump, indicated at M5, through pipes B to spaces in the covers communicating with the interior o-f the tubular peiston-bars; in Fig. 4 m1 is a space in the sleeve M8 inclosing the upper piston-bar D of the vertical pair of bars D, D1. Oil enters the bar through the perforations al and escapes through the erforation d1 to the recess c in the arm of the piston, whence it is led by branch pipes R1 R1 lto the annular groove b' in each piston-head and thus lubricates the cylinders and pistons. The end pistons B B7 and cored to provide ranged bars D2 D1" are similarly supplied. Each of the two groups or series of cylinmay be varied, or a .single series alone may.

Y incense ders and pistons, acts as a four cylinder four cycle engine, and the two series work independently through beveled gearing on the shafts F ,and G, on the propeller-shaft I'l. rThe cycle of intake, compression, explosion and exhaust for each cylinder is so timed in relation to the disposition 0f the cranks on the crank-shafts F and G as to deliver two power impulses in each revolution of each shaft, and as the cranks of each shaft are set :at an angle of 90 to those of the other, the result is the delivery of four power impulses in each complete revolution of the two crank-shafts, transmitted to the propellershaft.

By arranging the cylinders in tandem in a horizontal plane, the desired compactness is attained and the engines occupy but little lateral space or cross-sectional area.

By employing two pistons in each cylinder with a combustion chamber between and formed by the piston-heads, and by connecting together lall the pistons moving in the same direction, and connecting together all the pistons moving in the opposite direction, the power impulses are applied to the crankshafts on diametrically opposite sides, which results in balancing such impulses and eliminating vibration.

The combined short strokes of the two pis-v tons in each cylinder affords all the advantages of a long compression stroke, with a reduced piston speed, thus permitting a greater number of explosions to take place within the maximum piston speed limit for internal combustion engines, which results in anl increased horsepower output in this type of engine over that attainable in the usual type having the same number of cylinders and piston'displacement. The advanl tage gained is lighter metal weight per horsepower developed.

Although the improved motor is especially adapted for airplane service and is de'- signed for such work, it will be understood that the invention may be applied to engines designed for any service to which it may be adapted; and modifications may be made in the forms and proportions and in various details of construction without depart- -ing from the principle of the invention oi' sacrificing its advantages. The number of cylinders 1n the two series be employed.

1. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement, two pistons in each cylinder, a crank shaft common to all of said pistons, the space between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, means connecting together the group of pistons moving in one direction, and means connecting together the group of pistons moving in the opposite direction,

2. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement and separated lfromeach other, a crank shaft common to all of said pistons, two pistons in each cylinder, the space between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, arms on said pistons extended outwardly in the space between said cylinders, means connecting together the arms of the group of pistons moving in one direction, means for connecting together the arms of the group of pistons moving in the opposite direction, and means for delivering a plurality of power impulses at each revolution of said shaft.

l3. In an internal combustion engine,` four separated cylinders arranged in axial alinemen't, two pistons in each cylinder, the space between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, arms on said pistons extended outwardly in the spaces betwen said cylinders, the arms of the group of pistons moving in one direction arranged to lie in a horizontal plane, and the arms of the other group of pistons moving in the opposite direction arx ranged to lie in a vertical plane, bars connecting such horizontally 'disposed arms, and bars connecting such vertically disposed arms, a crank-shaft common to all of said pistons, and connecting-rods from said barsto oppositely disposed cranks on said shaft, the cycles of intake, compression, explosion, and exhaust for such series of four cylinders being timed to give two eHective imadjacent pistons of both, arms on said connections extended outwardly in the spaces between saidv cylinders, means connecting together the Aarms of the group of pistonsmoving in one direction, means connecting together thel arms of the group of pistons moving in the opposite direction, and means for delivering two effective power impulses of both groups of pistons to the said crankshaft at each revolution of said shaft.

ioo

' 5. In an internal combustion engine, a

plurality of separated cylinders arranged -in axial "alinement, two pistons in' each cylinder; the, space .between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, arms on said pistons extended outwardly in the spaces between said cylinders, tubular bars connecting said arms, and means for supplying lubricating oil through said barsv to said pistons and cylinders,

' 6. In an internal combustion engine, four separated cylinders arranged in axial alinement, pairs of oppositely moving pistons in said cylinders', connected to a common crank shaft to give twoV effective impulses at each revolution of said shaft, the space between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, Valves controlling admission and exhaust passages for such combustion chambers, a drive-shaft disposed parallel with said cylinders and means for rotating it, and means actuated by said drive-shaft for operating said valves.

n 7. In an engine of the character set forth, a casing, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement therein and having cylinder ports, and pistons in said cylinders connected to a common crank shaft to give two effective lmpulses at each revolution of said shaft,

.valve chambers in sai-d casing and passages leading to vsaid ports, a drive-shaft arranged parallel with said cylinders, wheels in said casing having cams thereon and driven by said drive-shaft,and valves controlling said passages and operated by said cams.

8. In an internal combustion engine, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement in a series, four cylinders arranged in axial alinement in a second series in the same plane with the first, pairs of pistons in said cylinders connected to a common crank shaft to give 'two effective impulses at each revolution of said shaft, the space between such pistons forming a combustion chamber, a crank-shaft for each series, valves controlling the por-ts of chambers, a drive-shaft extending between said two series and parallel therewith, and means actuated by said drive-shaft for operating the valves of both series.

9. In l`an internal combustion engine, four v cylinders arranged in axial alinement in a serie-s, four cylinders arranged in axial `sob alinement in a second series in the same. plane with the first, pairs of pistons in said cylinders connected to ,ao common crank shaft .to give two effective impulses at each revolution of said shaft, the space between such pistons forming'a combustion chamer, a` crank-shaft for each series, and aY propeller shaft driven byl both said crankshafts, valves controlling the ports of such ysaid valves.

`with said pinion, cams such combustion4 combustion chambers, a drive-shaft extending between said two series and parallel therewith, means actuated by said driveshaft for operating the valves of both series, and means for rotating said drive-shaft from said propeller shaft.

. 10..In an internal combustion engine,

crank-shaft for each series, a beveled gearwheel on each of said crank-shafts, a propeller shaft, and a beveled gearwheel on said propeller shaft in mesh with both of said beveled gearwheels on said crankshafts, and a drive-shaft rotated from said propeller shaft and arranged to operate der, passages from said 'chamber to 'saidport, valves controlling said passages for two adjacent cylinders, a drive-shaft parallel with said cylinders, a pinion on said shaft, a gearwheel in said casing in mesh on the faces of said gearwheel, valve-stems on said valves arranged to be acted upon by said cams to open said passages, and spring actuated means for seating said valves.

'12. In an engineof the character set forth, a plurality of cylinders, a double piston having twopiston-heads and a connectinfr frame, an arm on said frame extending outwardly between adjacent cylinders each receiving one of said heads, a recess in said arm, a tubular bar joined to said arm and communicating with said recess, an annu--

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