US1722259A - Internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

Judy :m wm

W. HARPER, JR

INTERNAL iCOMBUS'IION ENGINE mets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15

INVENT'OR A TTORNE Y Emily EN?, W29.. W. wwwmain, .mx

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. la, 1923 Sheets-sheet wly 3m, WHW ww. Mmmm-2R, .m l Mm@ INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Aug. 1.8, v19123 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTGR IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY (Iii ` IN VENTOR A TTORNE Y www m mm HMWFEW,JW

INTERNAL CAOMBUSTION ENGNE Filed Aug. 1.6, 1923 8 fSheets-She't WMYWWWHW' Wwmmwwm Mw hww INTERNAL CMBUSTIOW NGINE Filed Aug. la, 1923 a sheets-sheet s Wim Wa- W 'Pantd July 3o, 1929."

- UNITED-Sms PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM HAnrEn, Jn., or 'NEW BLOOMFIELD, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNon ro AnimeroAN GAs TURBINE CORPORATION, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or DELA- WARE.

. INTEBNAL-ooNrnUs'rIoN- ENGINE' Y,

Application ledliugust 18, 1923. SerialNo. 658,035.

, This invention relates to internal combustion engines, andhas particular reference to means for increasing the eiiiciency of com-A pression' t now commonly constructed.

In the common type of engine'compression is obtainedby pro ortioning the piston displacement torthe ree s ace inthe cylinder head, while the 4heat o combustion is utilized by the working" piston or Ais lost inthe cylinder walls and exhaust. During compression, theicombustible mixture mayjabsorb some heat from the-cylinder walls, and of course is somewhat raised in temperature by the compression. It is also common to apply a small amount of heat to the combustible mixture before compression for better vaporization of liquid fuel.' A substantial amount of heat cannot therefore be added to the mixture before or during compression, or the compression 'raised to increase efficiency in present types of engines because of preignition with consequent hammering ype reciprocatingpiston engines as and loss of power ldue ;to an explosion or detonation before the compression stroke is completed.

It' the temperature and compression of the charge be materially raised during the compression strokeand any detonation or advanced ignition resultingtherefrom be utilized in producing a forward rather than a backwardtorque On the rotary element, an increased overall efficiency 'of the engine is produced.

According to this invention, such result is obtained without preignition ina multicylinder engine by connecting'through the shortest straight passage, a workin cylinder when under high pressure of. urmng or incandescent gas, to a compressing cylin--- der at lower pressure so asto effect a 'transfer of heat and pressure tothe compressing.

' cylinder substantially before the limit of movement'of the compressionstroke of the piston. I am aware that it has heretofore 'be'en'proposed to supercharge a compressing cylinder from a working cylinder either indirectly with inert cooled gas from an intermediate chamber, or to transfer flame for ignition of the'compressed charge. This invention differsfrom such proposals in not being subject-to the limitation inherent therelength for direct flame transmission without quenching.

' This application contains features common to Amy previous application S. N. 427,475, iled December 1, 1920, and S. N. 485,499, filed July-18, 1921. In the former the cylinders vcarried'by the rotor are radial and the differentially driven valve carried inlet ports, cross firing ports and exhaust portsfor the entire charge, the pistons being actuated by yokes travellinglwith the rotor on stationary eccentrics, with hand controlled mechanism for varying the timing of the valve. In the later application, the valve and piston drive are the same, but the Valve is tapered and provided with means for automatically unseating it toV prevent sticking when expanded by are tangentially disposed to -an inner circle at such angle that a direct forward torque is produced'by the explosion even before the piston reaches dead center during the compression stroke. In the engine of this application the above features of piston and -valve drive and tangential cylinders are em` ployed, together with'a main exhaust system controlled by the piston and leading the bulk of the exhaust heat away from the valve. The final or scavenging' exhaust is through the valve, butthis exhaust is at such low temperature as not to cause trouble in valve lubrication orsticking dueI to uneven ex-' pansion. In connection with -this main exhaustl system afurther valve mechanism is 4provided for the purpose of 'preventing back re into the cylinderat the beginning of .the compression stroke before the main exhaust port is closed by the piston to the exhaust from another cylinder. The engine of this application alsocomprises various improvements in details ofconstruction including water circulation, accessibility, etc. In com- .bination with the conical valve is also provided a balancing device to op Ose .the unseating moment due to cylinA er pressure, whereby a light seating spring can be used, instead of one resisting the longitudinal thrust of the maximum cylinder pressure.

Imthe accompanying drawings, Figa 1 is a longitudinal vertical cross seci tion of the engine,

tion of the rotor,

F'g. 5 is a transversescction showing the A main cylinder exhaust portson'the 'line 5--5 showing the balancing device,

of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 shows one of the wrist pin yokes, Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the valve7 Fig. 8 is-a section on the line 8-8 of Fig.

' 4 to show the cooling water circulation,

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of the valve Fig. 10 is a detail of the vanes in the vvalve for breaking up the'fuel mixture,

Fig. 11 is a section of the valve with the enfrin'e on center showing the valve seated open for intake, Fig. 12-is a similar section showing the valve .slightly displaced longitudinally to 4prevent sticking,

Fig. 13 is a valve section showing the ex haust position. f

Fig. 14 isa detail section of the end of the valve,

Fig. 15 is a development of the cylinder head ports,

. shaft rotating as a unit in the casing Fig. 16 is a development of the center differentially rotatable valve ports, Fig. 17 'shows the 'main cylinder eihaust port,

Fig. 18 shows a development of the ports in a stationary sleeve preventing preignition,

Fig. 19 shows a section of the valve and shaft through which supercharging and cross ignition occur, and

Figs '20, 21, 22A are views showing the mechanism .for manually controlling the rotary valve timing for superbharging and cross ignition.

The 'invention comprises a b'ase casing 1 with a removable top 2 and a removable end casing 3 having mounted therein in bearings 4, 5, a rotatable tubular shaft 6 having fixed thereto a rotor casting 7` carrying vetan'- gentially'set cylinders 8, thecylinders and' 1, 3. Mounted ona'iixed portion of the oaslng as the ring 9 is an eccentric ring 10, having a T-shaped track 11 in which run the yokes 12 carrying wrist pins 13 connected to the pistons 14, the wrist pins 13 being in tubes 15 which slide in slots 16 in the cylinders 8. 17 are water jacket spaces cored inthe rotor casting surrounding the cylinder as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 8, and providing for centrifugal water circulation as shownl in Fig. 8, the water coming 1n through pipe 20 passi ing by passage 21 within the shaft extension 22 to passage 23in detachable..end .plate-24, thence by' key tubes 25,'whichf'keythe rotor casting to the shaft`6, thence byv passage 26 in flange 27 of shaft' section 28 'to passage 29 v in the cylinder jacket, thence around 4the cylinder in space 30, thencefreturn tothe exhaust sidev of the cooling system through albined centrifugal and -forc'edcooling .circu lation. As shown herein, threeof theV key-: -tubes 31 are exhaust tubes and the remaining two 25 are inlet tubes, the lvolume o f'exhaust water being slightly greater thanintake` water owing to the ex ansion:

The charge inlet'is y pipe 35 through vternate key tubes 31, passage."32, -puinp and exhaust. 34 to a radiator or other cooler s and thence to the intake 2.0,'providing ci-.Come 75L- charge mixingdev'ice 36 rotating with'the r-V f tor, see Figs.`9, 10 to interior 40 of valve body 41. The valve body 41 is vcylindricalto bear within-shaft 6 and carries a driving gear 42 and atthe otherend is attached conical valve section 43 with valve inlet ports 44. Inf termediate-shaftsection carries five ports .j

45, registered with cylinder ports 46,-' three valve ports 44; serving the five. cylinders owing to the dilierential rotation of thevalve within the shaft. `The valve also carriesthree auxiliary exhaust ports 48, 48,48, and' intervening cross firing land 'supercharging ports49, 49, 49show1ng 1n section 1n Fig.

` sion .toebe supercharged and fired `through the straight cross passage in the valve. I

419 -arranged so as to provide a straight pashave found that the quenching effect of bent4 or angular. passages and the ga's flow retardation thereof prevent cross liring and supercharging, necessitating straight passagesjofminimum distance between cylinders as shown herein: f 4

' The cross firing chamber 53 thereby formed between the ports 49 also enables a hot wire 54 to be provided for starting ignition, this hotwire being connected on one sidebyeleo trode 55 which in' turn is carried by a block f 56 in electrical contact with a plug 57 and plunger 58 controlled by spring 59 connected to terminals 60 for a battery orother source of heating current, the other side of hot wire 54 being grounded on the shell 61 and thence through the center of charge distributing vane 36..to the end frame .65, or ground, 'sothat no short-circuit is made around the hot wire 54. It is important to provideV proper 'firing port design in order to avoid quenching effect, and such-a design is 'shown in Fig. 9

vwherein the nipples 66 carrying the narrowed 4 ports 49 are screwed into the valve body 43 and into the firing chamber body 67, see Figs.

9, 19 and providing charge inletpassages 68 around the cross fire chamber so as to fur-- nish free and ample charge inlet passage area to the valve inlet.p0rts44, and thence through Al shaft ort and `cylinder head port 46 the cylin ei' during'thesuctionpr'outvvard stroke `head-.port 4 6, shaft port 45, and valve ex'- jhaust port 77 and tubular valve 72 carriedby valve body 43 to the main exhaust passafe 73. The initial or supercharge andv cross {Qn-ing exhaust has already `been sufficiently de` scribed, and the timing is effected by manual means to be hereafter described. The point at which this may occur will vary according to the compression, smcethe firingv4 cylinder pressure must exceed vthe compressmg'cyhnder pressure in order to effect the transfer. I

' have obtained satisfactory results at all points between 80' in 'advance of innermost piston position. -Preferably the axes'of the cylinder 'are tangent to a circle whose radius is'equal to one-half thepistonstroke, resulting in a five cylinderl engine Whose dead center is practically about S21/2 in advance of inner piston position. 'Ignition at any point inside of S21/2 therefore occurs during a period'of increasing compression but owing to the tangential cylinder arrangement, together with the yoke, eccentric ring, and eccentric construction and arrangement, all knocking on bearings,.connec'ting rods,`etc. is obviated. This construction is best understood from a l study vof Fig; 2, which shows the tangential cylinders and powertransmission elements with their large sliding surfaces and precise fitting, yet elastic, makeup, with no substantial-leverage to cause any appreciable knock.

0f the two substantially horizontal pair of cylinders inFig.v2, that at the left is working andthe 'other compressing. Cross firing is just taking place between them, but of course by changing the valve timing, cross iire may be made to occur later or at the end ofthe compression stroke.

AThe main exhaust Will'be understood from Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 17-.` The cylinder ports 70 open into a passage 71 cast in the` side of the rotor casting (Fig. 4) and are closed by plate 24, but run ina curved direction as shown so as to permit ofwater jacketing between, to exhaust passage 74 which is controlled by ports in the cylindrical portion of tubular valve 72 mounted on valve body 43, and thence 'leading to main exhaust' passage 73. This additional control of exhaust port 74 -by an auxiliary valve is desirable in a four cycle engine because ports 79 are opened at the end of the suction stroke and Without be `ing Vclosed 4by the space between vports l75 would possibly permit hot exhaust gas to be drawn into exhaust ports 70 into a cylinder just completing the suction strokeor the exhaust from otherA cylinders might back fire.

Back firing' is prevented by tlie'arrangement shown or an equivalent. It is .further to be observed that valve 7 2-being carried-by the Vdifferentially rotatable inlet valve bodyrequires three port-s 75 to serve five cylinders. The main advantage of this arrangement is that the temperature of the valve'body 43 is kept very low, owing to the mainheat from .the main exhaust being diverted past the conical portion of valve body 43, thus enabling thelatter to be easily lubricated and fitted withoutexcessive and unequal expan- .sion due tothe transfer of so much heat in such a small4 space.

It still remains to -scavenge the cylinder bythe inward stroke of the piston, which is accomplished through the cylinder ports 446 co-operating with exhaustports 48 in valve body 43, these ports leading through one of s three ports' v77 in conical valve 72, see Fig. 1,3. This portion of the exhaust is satisfac# torily accomplished without overheating of the lvalve body both because of the circulation of inlet gas within the valve body and also becausethe temperature of theexhaust during the scavenging stroke is very low due i to the expansion through main exhaust ports .70.' The exhaust tube exhausts through ports 79 into `exhaust pipe 80, and issurrounded on one side by Water inlet passage 21 and en the other by water exhaust passage 32 as before described.

The conical valve'body 43 is held seated' byspring '59, and the tension of spring 59 is adjusted by thumb screw 83, see Figs'. 1, 9. The driving gear 42 ofthe valve meshes with gear on stpd'shaft 86 mounted in adjustable arm 87. Gear 85 is connected to larger gear 88 which in turnmcshes With.v gear 89 carried by the rotor, thus producing the differential drivebetween the. rotor 'and the valve: In a' veylinder engine the valve is driven one-sixth slower than the speed of the rotor and the ratio' varies -with the number of cylinders being one-eighth slower for with a curved rack 92 which meshes with a pinion 93.011 a hand shaft 94. so that by turning the hand shaft 94 the differential valve feature. 96 is a rim orwguide plate fitting in a slot in the end of arm 87 to'hold it in line. A geared drive, -as to pulley 100, can be i taken cil fromgear 89 through gear 101 on shaftv 102.`

The skew gear 42 lixed on valve body 41 l meshes -with a siinilar internal gear cream `91- fastened to gear' 90, and set to have a normal tendency to move the valve longitudinally to the left in Figs; '1, 9, 11 against 2 spring 59, the tension of the spring being Y adjusted to resist this back thrust of the skeW` gears, except when upon tendency of the valve to stick on the conical seat -in the shaft,

4as by expansion or lack of lubrication, the

thrust of the gears overcomes the spring and al-loivs'th'e valve to unseat itself automatically. Thejg'ears 95,88, ctc. are also skciv gears for quietness in running.

Although there is not much longitudinal thrust in a conical valve from cylinder p ressure, it is found that a relativelylieavy spring 59 is reqiiired in a high pressure engine to hold the valve down. By balancing out this thrust, a lighter spring can be used, the valve stays down instead of vibrating into and out of ythe seat, and less driving poiver is used.

mits the` thrustto vthe forward (right) end of the valve through nipples 66. The movable head 11G slides on tube 117 but thrusts against shoulder 118 on body 119-Which slides tlirough'vane ring BGand thence through tliriist'bearing 120 to engine frame 65. T he 'tube 119 slides over theA cylinder body, and sliding Ahead 116 has a packed fit, as shown in the cylinder body.l The sliding movement offhcad 11G relatively to sliou-lder 118 prothe details disclosed Without departing from vides for expansion, and wear of the valve inthe seat. The cylinder pressure thruston the valve is thus balanced out, leaving the seating pressure practically determined by 'the tension of spring 59. The balancing pressure is-determined by the area of cylin der head 115, to be more or less tlianthe cylindeiipressiire tending to unseat the valve by overcoming spring 59. The present construction is of especial advantage in an elongated conicalvalve ofielatively slight taper,

but' is applicable to all types of rotary conical valves wherein unseating from cylinder pressure may occur, By tapering block 57. to enlarged ends as shown, the oil tends to centrifugally travel towardstlie ends andlu- 'biicate the block-ends in blocks 56, 5.8. The round ended block 57 also permits slight disalignment dueto bearing or valveivear, etc.;`

without getting out of order.

Starting `ignition is effected by acompressed charge 1n a compressing cylinder flowing backward through ignition port 49 into chamber 53 under sufficient compression to ignite and thenlash backthrough port 49 into the compressing'cylinder, with slight-loss into the second succeeding cylinder during its working stroke, which may, if there be suificient charge present', fire this cylinder`also shortly after the" compressing cylinder fired.. Starting ignition iseasily obtained in this manner. 1 l

The engine isinostly oiled by'centrifugal y force as described-in the aforesaid earlier applications, the'spiral oil grooves in the valve and other parts not -being shown herein becaiise disclosed in the aforesaid applications. Centrifugal force 1n this engi/ne may cause cylinder oil-.froin the iston and diderential valvelubrication to col ecton the piston head, to discharge `which an oil slot 103 With pas-a sage 104 leading out through the 'casting is provided just-'above ports70 on the leading or highest part of the cylinder which is just cleared by the piston, see Figs. 2 and 4, and the. piston heads are slightly dished outwardly as shown in Fig. l1 so that. any/oil or .oil`

spray collected by the piston head is cen-v trifiigally discharged'throughjtliis port and passage into the casing, and thence usedagain.

number lof outstanding inventions, among tion, only requires starting electrical ignition aoV . lhe engine of this invention-embodies a' which are that it is balanced during operabutcan be-run-on electrical ignition if desired,

-is verv .flexible incontrol owing to ability to shift tlie'valve While running to vary the timing, is highly ei'cient because of tlie'supercharging and cross ignition, the 'valve is maintained cool and hence without objectionable tendency'to stick, score or wear and with ani .ple lubrication, and the vengine as a Whole is adequately cooled and lubricated. Various modifications and changes may be made in the broad scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combustion engine comprising a cyl-- inder, a piston therein, driving connections for the piston, a rotatable tapered valve controlling the passage (if hot gas 'from the cyl- 'inder through its tapered portion, and means controlling the passage of another portion of port and combustion space at the inner end,

Aa piston in each cylinder,'means for reciphot gas from the cylinder around said valve.

A p dependently [of said valve.

` port and coin rocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,

a rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movementhaving inlet and vexhaust assages l cooperatiniwith saidport, .means or driv-.` ing theva ve, and means controlled by the piston for discharging the mainexhanst in- .4f Ina combustion engine, a rotor includ- ,.ing .divergin cylinders each having .a gasV 10 port and com ustion space at -the inner end,

1a piston in each cylinder, means for reciproeating the. pistons during cylinder rotation, a

tapered rotary valve concentric withthe cylinde'r movement having inlet and exhaust or differentially drivin l .2o f5. -In a-com'biistion engine, a rotor including-diverging cylinders each havinga gas .pston'in each cylindenmeans for reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,

2.5 ,a tapered rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movement Vhaving inlet and exhaust passages cooperating. with said port, means forA` differentially driving-the valve, means for balancing the valve against cylinder presy '30 sure, and means controlled bythe piston for 'discharging the main exhaust independently y of said valve.

6. Inal combustion engine, a rotor includ- *ingdivergin' cylinders each having agas '35 portandcom ustion space at the inner end,

a piston in each cylinder, means for reciprov eating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a

1 valve concentr'ic with' the cylinder movement for controlling a portion of the exhaust from 40 said cylinders, means for passing the main portion of the exhaust around -s'aid valve, and

means to prevent back lire from said last mentioned exhaust means 7. A combustion engine comprising a cylin-` .45' der, a piston therein, driving connections for the iston, a rotatable tapered valve for control ing the passage Aof hot gas from the cylinder, a tapered-valve seat, means for holding the valve on its seat, means for controlling the unseatinT eii'ect of cylinderpressure,

and means for. riving the valve in timed relation to the piston.

8; The combin tion with a tubular ported shaft carrying Vcylinders havingregistering .5.5 head ports, of pistons in the cylinders, means for' reciprocating the pistons as the cylinders yrotate a tubular driven valve Within the shaft having a charge inlet passage and ports co-operating with said cylinder ports to admit charge, means 'for cross -firing and supercharging a compressing cylinder from -a working cylinder, and means for exhausting the Working cylinder.

9. The combination with a tubular ported shaft carrying cylinders having registering and partly around said valve.

ustion space atlthe inner end, a.

head ports, of pistons the cylinders, meansfor reciprocating the pistons as the cylinders .charging a compressing 4cylinder from a working cylinder, and means forexhausting the Working cylinder partly through said.

valve and partly around said valve through a piston controlled cylinder port.

.- 1l. The combination with 'a tubular ported shaft carryi-ng'rotatable cylinders tangent to a circle concentric With their movement having registering head ports, of pistons in the cylinders, moans for reciprocating the pistons as the cylinders rotate, a tubular diierentially driven valve within the shaft having a '-charge inlet passage and ports co-operating with said *cylinderv ports to admit charge, means including transverse passages through the valve between said linlet passages for cross firing and su'percharginga compressing cylinder from a Working cylinder, said transverse passages-having 4constricted ends adjacent the valve periphery, and means for exhausting the working cylinder.

l2. A combustionvengine ofthe tangentially arranged rotating cylinder ty e with a driven tubular valve within the sha t having. a transverse cross firing and Asuperc arging passage with constricted ends adjacent .the valve periphery for connecting a Working cylinder to a compressing cylinder to fire saine in advance of completion of the compression stroke. Y

13. A combustion engine of the 'tangentially arranged rotating cylinder ty e with a driven 'tubular valve Within the sha having 'a transversecr'oss firing and supercharging rotate, a tubular driven valve Within the shaft ioo means for manually shifting the timing of the cross ignition and supercharging during operation. i

14. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders each4 provided lWith -a gas port' and combustion space at the inner end, pistons in said cylinders, driving connections for thepistons,

means engaging saiddiiving connections vfor iso rotating the cylinders, the combination with a differentially driven concentric .valve for controlling the supplyof driving fluid to said `cylinders, of means for driving thevalve. in.

Vtimed relation to the-cylinders, charging a portion of the exhaust through.

means for'dissaid valve, means for leading olf -another'portion of the Vexhaust from said cylinders'laronnd Y said valve, and .an auxiliary 'valve controlling the exhaust through said last mentioned means. i

-and combustion space at the 'inner inlet valve, an exhaust port atthe outer end controlled by the, piston, and a supplemen-` 15. rotary reciprocating combustionengine having cylinders .with the gas inlet port end, an-

' tary valve for preventing back firingthrough said cylinder exhaust port when the cylinder is charged With fresh gas.A

16.' A rotary reciprocating combustionlnginel having 'cylindersivth the gas inlet port and combustion space at the inner end, aninletvalve, an exhaustportat the outer end controlled by the piston, and a valve controlling said exhaust port during aiportionr of each alternate like piston stroke. 4 17. A .rotary reciprocating combustion exil' ginehaving cylinders with the `gas' i-nle't'po'rt and combustion space at the inner end, an inlet valve, an 'exhaust' portat the outer end con` trolled by the piston,l and a supplementary.

differentially rotatable 4valve controlling saidv exhaust port during a'portion 'of-.each alternate like piston stroke.

18. A combustion engine comprising a c ylinder, a piston therein, drivingconnectionsfor the piston,'a tapered valve' for controlling the passage of hot gas from the cylinder, a tapered valve seat, means for Vholding the 'valve on its seat, means for controlling the unseating effect of cylinder pressure,- andmeans for driving tlievalvein timed relation to the piston, means for longitudinally shifting the valve on increase of driving torque, and means for passing the main portion of hot gas the cylinder around said valve.

1-9. A rotary. reciprocating combustion en.:

.gine having4 cylinders With the gas inlet port .and combustion space at the inner end, la

tubular shaft carrying the cylinders, a tribu-. f

lar differentially driven valve body .Within the shaft having a less number of inlet -p ortS than the number-of cylinders and connected, at one end to 'a source'off fuel charge "andcommunicating With theicylinder combustion4 spaces throughports in the shaft and cylinder head, `an'exhaust port at the outer .end of each "cylinder controlledby the piston, and

supplementary "exhaust ports in .said 'valve body leading to the op'posite'end and co-Ofp# erating with said Ashaft andi cylinder head ports. A

l' 20. A rotary -reciprocatingcombustion 'en-l gine having cylinders with the gas inlet port and combustion space at .tlie inner end, a

from.'

5to the hollow shaft-F tubular shaft carrying the c linders, valtubui- -lar 'differentially 4driven va ve .body within the shaft having a less numberjof inlet ports than the number of cylinders andconnected at one end to a source of fuel vcharge-and communicating with `the cylinder combustion 4spacesthrough ports in the shaft 'and cylinder head, an exhaust port at the outer end of each cylinder controlled by the piston, supy plementarygexhaustpo'rts in sa-id valve body eading to v.the .opposite end and co-operatiig vvitli said shaft and cylinder head ports,i and a supplementary valve for preventing back firing through said'cylinder exhaust port ltvhenftlie cylinder is charged With fresh gas. 21. A rotary reciprocating combustion' enand combustion space at the inner end, atubu- Alar shaft carryin thecylinders, aV tubular differentially riven valve body within the shaft having a lessnumber of inlet ports gine having cylinders Withtlie gasinlet poi-t than the number. of cylinders and connected `atone end to a source of fuel charge and donimunicating with the cylindecombustion spaces' through ports in thesliaft and cylinderj head, an exhaust port at the outer end Vofeach cylinder` controlled bythe piston, sup- .pleinentary exhaust portsin said vvalve body leading to the opposite end and oo -operating 4with saidfshaft and cylinder head ports, and

a-valve controlling said exhaust port during aportion of eachalternate like pistonstroke. 22. A rotary reciprocating combustion engine having cylinders with the gas inlet port i and combustionspace at the inner end, a' tubular shaft'carrying the cylinders, a tubular differentially driven y A lve body Within the. shafthaving a less num er of inlet ports. than the'number of cylindersand connected at one endto a source of fuel charge and 'communieating with the v'cylinder combustion spaces through ports in the shaft-and cylinder head,

an exhaust port at the outer end ofeacli cylinder controlledl by the piston, supplementary exhaust ports in said valve body lead ing tothe opposite end andco-operating with saidjshaftand cylinder head ports, and a su 3,- plen'ientary valvefcai'ried by the valve bo y,

controllingsaid 'exhaust port during a por- Vtion of each alternate like piston stroke.

y12??. Arotaryfcylinder combustion engine having. apluralityhof tangentially arranged 24.-'. A "rotary cyl' 'der cembu'stion 'I engine l having, a plurality'of tangentially arranged cylinders on a hollow sliaf t,`with the gas inlets and combust'ionspaces at'the inner ends,

inlet valve mechanism for charging each cylinder, a.. pistoncontrolled'exhaustif-'port in l each cylinder, an exhaust `passage'fleading 'therefrom tothe hollovv shaft, and means pren venting preignition of a charged cylinder :from the shaft exhaust passage.

25. In a rotary cylinder combustion engine havinga dilferentially driven supercharging valve with central gas chamber and trans-A verse passage for'superacharging and cross tiring a compressing cylinder froma Working cylinder, an ignition device in said chamber for starting ignition. l

26. In' combination with a tubular rotatable valve, a cross ignition chamber body therein,

and' ported nipples securing the chamber body in the valve body, the nipple ports being' iii a substantially straightline itorming4 a vchord of the valve body.

27 In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging cylinders, each vhaving a gas p'ort and combustion space at the inner end, a -20' piston in each cylinder, means 'or recipro# eating the pistons during cylinderrotation, a tapered `rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movement provided with gas passages, means balancingsaid valve against unseating by ylinder pressure, and means 4for driving-said'valve.

` 28. In a combustion engine, a rotor ineluding diverging cylinders, each having a gas port andcoinbustion space at the inner end land a piston controlled exhaust port at the 'outer end, apiston in each cylinder, means for reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a tapered rotary valve 'concentric with thelcylinder movement provided with gaspassa'ges, vmeans balancing said valve ."against unseating by cylinder pressure, and

. ing divergine -seating by cylinder pressure.

3Q. In a eombiistion'engine, a rotor includ? cylinders, each having a gas port and combustion space at the inner end, a

piston in each cylinder, means for reci procatc ing the pistons during cylinder rotation. a t1- pered rotary valve concentric with the cyliider movement provided with supply and 'ex-4 t. by 'the 'inletvalve controllingv said Ilexhaust haust passages, transverse passages between said supply and exhaust passages for tiring I der, a tapered valveseat, means for holding'- a succeeding from a working cylinder, means balancing said valve against 4unseating by cylinder pressure, and means fordriving' said valve. l

31. A ,combustion engine' comprising 'aj cylinder, a piston therein, driving connec'.

tions for the piston, a tapered valve foi'lcontrolling the passage of hot gas from the cylinthe valve on its seat, means for controlling the unseating Aeffect of cylinder pressure. and means for driving'the valve inV timed relation tothe piston, "and means for adjusting the timing of said valve during rotation.

32. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine, the combinationwith a plurality of cylinders, of a shaft on which the` cylinders are mounted, pistons within the cylinders,

means conneetedto the pistonsvfor producing' rotation of the cylinders, a valve Within said shal't, supply', exhaust, and cross-firing ports in said valve, and another exhaust port in the side wall of said cylinders.

33. The combination with a plurali-tyv of cylinders, of a shaft on which the cylinders are mounted, pistons with-in the cylinders, means connected tosaid pistons for producing rotation of the cylinders, a valve Within -t-he shaft, ni'eans for driving said valve at a different speed with respect to the cylinders,

supply, exhaust, and cross-firing portsin the valve, other exhaust portsjin the side walls of the'cylinders, and an auxiliaryvalve controlling the second mentioned exhaust ports.

.34.; vIn a rotary reciprocating combustion ,i engine', the combination with a plurality of cylindersv` of a shaft on which the cylinders arefmounted, pistons lWithin the-cylinders, means connected to the pistons for' producing rotation of the cylinders, avalve Within said shaft, supply ports in the valve, an exhaust passageway in the side wall ofjea'ch cylinder controlled by the piston, an 'auxiliary valve for controlling said exhaustl passageway,.and means for adjusting the timing of said auxiliaryvalve While the engine isrotating.

35. In a rotary reciprocating combustion engine, the combination With'a plurality of cylinders, of a shaft on which the cylinders are mounted, pistons Within the cylinders,

means-connected to thepistons for producing rotation of the cylinders',a valve within -said shaft, supply, exhaust,fand cross-firing ports in the valve, means for diierentiallydriving" said valvewith respect to the cylinders. and a mechanical mixing device located-Within the valvefor thoroughly mixing the vapor and air supplied to said cylinders.

36'. ,Al rotary reciprocating combust-i'oii'engine having diverging eylinders'wit-h the gas inlet port and combustion space at the inner end, aninlet valve, an exhaust .port at the outer end, and a supplementary'valve carried .In a combustion engine, a. rotor ineluding divergiim cylinders each having a gas port and combustion space at the inner end, a

piston-in each cylinder,'means forrecipro- 'eating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a valve concentricvwith the cylinder movement -for controlling a portion of the exhaust fromsaid cylinders, means for driving the valve vferring incandescent gas from a Working. to

.pistonin each cylinder,

ing dive'rging cylinders each havinga gas port and combustion space at the inner end, a means for recipro` eating the pistons duringcylinder rotation,

a rotary tapered valve concentric with .cylinder movement for transferring incandescent gas `trema working to a succeeding cylinder,

a tapered valve seat, means for' holding the valve on its seat, means balancing thevalve against cylinder pressure, means ordriving the valve in timed relation to the cylinders, and means for varying'the timing of the valve during;I rotation.

` 39. In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging 'cylinders each having a gas port and combustion space at the iirner end, a piston in eating thepistons during cylinder rotation, a rotary valve concentric with the cylinder movement and having an internal transverse passage for transferring incandescent -gas from. a working to aA succeeding cylinder, means for driving the valve in timed relation to the cylinders, and main exhaust mcansi'ndependent of the valve-- 'I i .I A

40. In a combustion engine, a'rotor including divcrging cylinders each having a gas port and combustion space at the inner end, a. piston in each cylinder," nicanstoi" reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a rotary tapered valve ce' inder movement for controlling a portion of the exhaust from said cylinders, means for driving the valve in timed relationto the cylinders, a. tapered valve scat, means for holding the valve on its seat,'means responsive to increase in its drivingtorque for longitudinally shifting the valve, and main exhaust means independent of said valve.

4l. In a combustion engine, a rotor including diverging cylinders cachhaving a gas port and combustion spaceat the inner end, a piston in each cylinder, means for reciproeating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a valve concentricivith the cylinder movement for controlling the supply offuel to said cylinders and having a transverse passage JIor igniting a succeeding from a working cylinder, and means for exhausting said cylinders independently of said valve.

42. In a. combustion engine, 'a rotor including diverging cylinders each having a gas port and combustion space at the inncr end, a piston in ,each cylinder, means 'for reciproeating the pistons during cylinder rotation. a rotary tapered valve concentric lwith the cylinder movement for passing incandescent 4gas from a working to a succeeding evlinder,

a tapered valve seat, means for holding the valve on its seat, means for controlling the unseating effect of cylinder pressure, and means for driving the valve in timed relation 'increase in its driving torque nally shifting` the valve.

unseating each cylinder, means for recipro-` movement ncentiic with the cyl-4 to the cylinders,` and meansresponsive to for longitudi- 43. In a combustion engine, a rotor includ ing diverginojcylinders each having' a 'gas -port and combustion space at theinner end, a piston'in ea'eh cylinder, means fo'rLr'eciproeating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a rotary tapered valve concentric With cylinder movement for passing incandescent gas from a Wrkin-g to a'succeeding cylinder, a tapered valve seat, means 'for holding the valve on its seat, means forcentro'lling the effect et cylinder pressure, and means for, driving the valve in timed relation to the cylindeis, means responsive to increasein its driving torqueltor longitudinally shifting-the valve,y and means Jfor adjusting the timing of the valve 'during rotation.

.44. In a combustion engine, a rotor includrocating the pistons during cylinder rotation,

'a tapered Valve concentricwith the cylinder for controlling a portion of the exhaust from said cylinders, means for. pass- 'ing another portion of the exhaust around vsaid valve, a tapered valve seat, means forA jholding the valve on' ,its seat, and means' for llongitudinally shifting the valve-in response to increase'in its driving torque. i

45. In acombustion engine, a rotor inclnd ing cylinders, each having a gas port and combustion space at their, adjacent ends, a -piston in each cylinder, means for reciprocating the istons during'cylinder rotation, a valve concentric with cylinderrmovement and having an internal passage spaced from the'valve body for transferring' incandescent gas from a Working to' a succeedingV cylinder.

46. In a combustion engine, a vrotor including cylinders, each having a gas port and combustion space at their adjacent ends, a piston in each' cylinder, means for reciprocating the pistons during cylinder rotation, a valve concentric vwith the cylinder movement havinga combustion chamber therein,

ying diverging cylinders each having Ia'gas ies an internal Apassage connected with said chamber or .transferring incandescent -gas J from a working to a succeeding cylinder, and

therein, actuating means for the pistons, aA

tapered concentric valve, a tapered valve seat,

means holding the valveon the seat,`means Jfor balancing unseating cylinder pressure,.

meansfor driving said valve in timed relation tothe cylinders,

ing the valve timing during rotation.

. 48. A fluid expansion engine having a cylinder, a'piston therein, driving means for the piston, a tapered valve controlling the and means for adjusti passage of cylinder fuel, a tapered' valve seat, means for holding the valve on 'its seat, means for balancing unseating cylinder pressure,

y Vmeans fordriving said valve in timed relation to the piston, and means for longitudinally shifting' the valve against said-holding means 1n response te increase 1n its driving der movement having a less number of inlet I ports than 'the number of cylindersfor sup'- plying fuel charge .through said port, 4an ex# llaust poriJ at the outer end of each -cylinder, supplementary exhaustlports in said valve body connected to the inner end of each cyl-V in'der the passages from each exhaust port being connected, and means carried by the vaive body preventing back fire.

Signed at Nein7 York city in the county of i New York end State `of NewYork this 11th dayofAugust, A. 1923.

y WILLIAM HARPER,` 'Je

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