US1817375A - Internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

L. IMBLUM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Aug. 4, 1931.

5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 2. 1929 Aug. 4, 1931. L. IMBLUM 817,375

ITERNAL COMBUSTION ENGIE l Filed May 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [nz/enfor': Leo lmblum.

Maw f Aug. 4, 1931.

l.. IMBLUM 1,817,375

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE .Filed May 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented i ug. 4, 1.931l

PANY, 0F PUEBLO, COLORADO, f OORORATIONZOF lCOLORADO INTERNAL coiyiBirs'r'ioN ENGINE Application filed MayY 2,

An objectof this invention is tov provide an improved construction and arrangement of lelement-s in cam type internal-combustion engines.

nal-combustion engine kof the type described.;

A further object of theinvention is to pro-A vide an improved piston guideassembly in an internal-combustion engineofthe type described. A

A further object of the invention is to i provide improved means for mounting a Vpistonk guide assembly in an internal-'combustion engine of the type described.

A further object of the. invention is tov provide improvedv means for compensating the expansive effect of temperature entials in certain elements of Van internalcombustion engine of the type described.` n

A further objectfof the invention is to be found in theprovision of improved means l for minimizing 'peripheral speed vdifferentials of a rotatable cam and its roller toll lowers.

' j A .further ob] found in the provision ect of the invention to be cam and its roller followers. V

' A further objecty of theinventionis to provide means forgclearing theV bearing surfaces of cam roller followers of grit,l chips and similarv oreignsubstances that damage said surfaces]-` A further object of the invention is to provide an vimproved construction and arrangement of the reciprocating elements Vof an in` terna1-combustion kengine of the type de-r A further object of theinvention is to an improved construction andA ar.

l metricallyfdisposed of improved means for minimizing slippagebetween a rotatable might i929. serial No. ,359,831 y ,UNITEDv STA-Tes PATENT oFFic-e IMBLUM, oF PUEBLO, COLORADO, AssiGNoR 'rosiiviniiuiiiiAiinoiiAUiriciiii*corina-A scribed, whereby the inertia eifevctsinherent in said reciprocating elements may be'morei eifectively land advantageously utilized.Y

Afurtlier-object of he invention is tozpro-'f vide improved piston connecting elementsin aninternal-combustion engine of the type de-y l scribed, kwhereby rsaid pistons are arranged in 1 pairs to form rigid units'di'arelative to .the engine ,60 `ligation of the iii-ertiaeiiects inherent in. said aXially-alined cam for more effective and advantageousutipistons andconnections.

`[y'invention lconsists inthe construction,iv

arrangement and combination ofrelements' liereina'fteitset forth, pointed outinmy claims andy illustrated bythe aecompanying i drawings, in whichl Figure l bustion engine to which my invention isv particularly applicable, certainportions oiithef` engine nonessential to an understanding of its operation being omitted to conserve space.

tion andarrangeme'nt shown in Figure'l', ceris an elevation, partlyV in section, of the niaincase portion ,of .an internal-com- .v v

AFigure 2 is avertical section of the constructainparts being omitted asin the preceding figure. Figure 3' `s ar fragmentary'. .detail p view, partly in section, of one Vof the camv OL .y lowers employed in the'engine. illustrated;

Figure 4 is a in lsectioinol the showing of Figure 3 and at 'right angles thereto. [Figure 5 kis ak detail" View, partly in section, of aportionof the' engine illustratedby Figuresl and 2, shoW- ing ainoditied Figure a detail axially of one of the' engine cylinders. ure 7 is a detail view,partlyfin'section, of the rigid members employed illustrated in Figure .5.

half

Figure 8 is a fragmentary 'detailviem partly y construction ofi-piston guide.r

view, lpartly m section, kof

in the piston guide Y the modi icat`on shown in Fidure as viewedl i `Fig Y elevation, paitlyjin section and similar to i Figure l, showing lcertain improvementsand `modificationsY of the construction according ,y y Figure9 is a vertical section onfthe indicated line 9-9 of'Figure 8. Figure l0 isa detail fragmentary section of Vone of the pistons employed in the engine V and to -said latter figure'.

a portion' of the connecting elements employedtherewith. f i Y In the construction of the improvements illustrated, a cam type internal-combustion engine is indicated as comprising opposed maincase halves 1() suitably locked together by means of bolts l1 to form a housing about a substantially cylindrical, hollow interior; a main shaft 12 axially of said housing and j ournaled in bearings 13 carried by said maincase halves 10; a multiple-lobed cam 14 fixed to and rotatable with said main shaft within said housing; cylinders 15 disposed in axially-alined pairs radially of said main shaft about said housing and opening therethrough; pistons 15 mounted for rectilinear reciprocation axially of said cylinders in a common manner; paired links 16 connecting pistons in each pair of alined cylinders, the links of each pair lying on opposite sides of the cam 14 and said links being formed with slotted central portions adapted to embrace and slide relative to the main shaft 12; and anti-friction roller follower assemblies 17 journaled between each pair of links 16 on opposite sides of the main shaft 12 in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of the cam 14. From the showing and foregoing description it is obvious that pressures developed within the cylinders 15, however obtained, will act Ato move the pistons within said cylinders and the links 16 connecting said pistons, said piston motion being transmitted through the roller followers 17 to the cam 14 and rotating said cam, all of which is, for present purposes, strictly conventional and in itself no part of the instant invention, being only representative of an engine construction to which said invention is advantageously applicable.

Itis readily apparent that as the cam 14 is rotated and the followers 17 move alongA the eccentric surface or outline of said cam, a very considerable non-radial thrust 1s developed between said followers and cam tending to move said followers tangentially ofA said cam and consequently tending to displace the link assemblies carrying said followers laterally out of their normal path of travel, which thrust, if uncompensated, wouldf'produce undesirable side thrust between piston and cylinder walls and rapidly effect unequal wear between said latter surfaces with consequent lowering of engine elieiency. To compensate said thrust developed between the cam 14 and followers 17, and to preserve the link assemblies in their normal paths-of travel and guide the pistons 15 in their reciprocation within the cylinders, a piston guide assembly is constructed and arranged as hereinafter set forth. Spiders, in this instance two in ninnber, though the number may vary in the application of the invention to engines of various constructions, are formed each with an annular hub 18 adapted to fit about and loosely embrace the main shaft 12, spokes 19, preferably equal in number to the number of cylinders 15, spaced uniformly about and radiating from the hub 18 and an annular rim 20, preferably of rreater width than thickness for a purposethat will more clearly appear hereinafter, fixed to and connecting the ends of the spokes 19 in concentric relation with the hub 18. Ai ertured bosses 21 are formed on the spider rims 2() at uniformly spaced intervals midway of each pair of spokes 19, and said spiders are mounted in concentric relation with the main shaft 12 on each side ofthe cam ,14 within. and inimediately adjacent the inaincase halves 10, the apertures the bosses 21 registering with holes in said maincasc halves to the end that bolts 22 may be passed through said apertured bosses and rfx stering holes to securely clamp said spiders at regular intervals to said maincase halves, said bolts being so positioned as to bring the spokes 19 of the spid-ers midway between the planes containing the axes of the engine cylinders. pertured the spiders at the point of intersection of each spoke 19 with the rims 2O and, according to the showing of Figures 1 and 2, shafts 24 are fixed at each end in registering apertures of the bosses 23 and extend in axially parallel relation with the main shaft 12 across the space within the housing between the spiders, said shafts 24 in this instance having radially onset central portions 25 to allow of Vfree rotation of the cam 14. vThe shafts 24, thus disposed, perpendicularly intersect the planes of the links 16 midway between adjacent margins of adjacent links andy ntersectingl anti-friction rollers 26 are mounted for rot-a- 7 tion on said shafts 24 in the extended planes of said links 1G and .in position to marginally contact with and roll re -tive to the adj.. edges of adjacent links, relatively' wide bearing platcs27 being formed on said adjacent margins of the links to provide adequate bearing surface for Contact with saidA rollers 26. The rollers 26, clearly shown, are arranged in pairs Von each shaft 24, one roller 26 on each side of the cam 14. In the modification according to Figure 9, the rollers 26 are shown mountedv on stub shafts 24 instead of the shafts 24.`the

cent

llU

odset portions of said latter shafts being eliminated, said stub shafts 24 being mounted in the apertnred bosses of the s ders in opposed, aXially-alined,pairs and secured in said bosses in any denied manier, as for example by means of dowel pins 25 in reaistering holes in said sti-,ib shafts and bosses,

and the opposed, inner e ds of' said stubshafts 24 are provided with suitable ing means, such as heads` prevent axial displacement of the rollers 26 Aelative to said stub shafts. lt is of course obvious that the stub shafts 24V may be formed directly on the spiders, if desired, in which case suitable retainingmeansw'ouldbe remcvabl vand r--l laceably mounted on kthe inner en l stub shafts for the same purpose as thehea'd's indicated above.r

" lengine is in operation, the motion of anyone linllz 16, will be equal in speed and vopp links, hence the rollers 26 yina-y simultaneous` ly contact adjacent bearing Iplates1'27r with out danger of speed differentials orrslippage however, since the link-s16 change direction of motion rapidly of the direction of rotation ofthe rollers 26,

'A it may well be expedient to provide positiveengaging means between the plates 27 and rollers 26 to overcome slippage between such means being illustrated in Figures Sandi.

9 as Comprising marginal gear teeth26-on :meshing with similar teeth 27 "forming-marfeo .. ranged diametricallyof the spiders to form,` through the khubs 18, ,rigidconnections-'be tween opposite shafts 24 or 24', so that,junder the influence of heat developedin the-opera the spokes, 19 expandor A'a rigid connection is Y u Ivisaid pistons and'links 16,1one`such'con- 4between the bearing tion ofthe engine, contract :in conformity with. the :expansionvr and about dent with the outlines of the bearingv surfaces of their respective rollers, said teeth 26 ginal racks on the bearing plates 27, the pitch lines of the teeth 27 being coincidentl with the planes `of the bearingisu'rfaces ofa saidf free rolling Contact isr had surfaces of said. plates 27 and rollers 26, the `intermeshing teeth: 26 and 27 serving only to of speed and direction plates 27, so that provided withJa 'row of teeth of said cam and followers, `as is clearly'shown Y.

in Figures 8 and 9.

It is to be noted that the spokes 19A'are1arandy contraction of the links 16 and'other related parts and thusl the correct relationy 'of l times assured, anydiiference in parts is' at all expansiveor contr-active effect'between the maincase and the interior" elements` being compensated through the relative `flexibility of the rim which flexibility axially thereof, as abOVeiset'Orth. f

15 andto moreefl'ectively yrealize the inertia advantages ofthe pist s of ,saidf extending inlspaced parallel relation axially ofthe inner end of each piston 15', four such fw' y :lugs diverging terminal ofthe links 16 are secured kby means f A i of bolts 37 passing through registering holes 4' It is apparent/that. in the engine construction illustrated, when `such yQinstance, osite arms 16-1 in direction' .to the motion of' its if adjacent--y l'insai'd diverging arms andjlugs;

unitary assemblies are formed of thepistonsin eachipairV fof 7axially-alii'ied cylinders Tand the links connecting saidpistons rvand the` with consequent reversalsf the reversal-resisting- 1 inertia of said rollers and positively prevent .g

said rollers' andl plates, one Y the earlyfsta-ges of,4 the power stroke when p such power isat its maximum, to overcome" the peripheriesy ofthe rollers 26,: the pitch lines of'saidfteeth 26 being coincif.`

preserve synchronismi of said bearing rsur.- faces. In like mannerpthe ycam-14 mayrbe` 14; on and about its eccentric outline in positiontemesh formed' on the roller fol-y 20 between the bolts 22,towpreserve` the said rim is-prefe'rfably narrower radially of the spider thanpit iss;

f "ingsof theteeth=33 with th'eteeth 28 and 31 l In order to completelyeliminate AVsideserving Y' thrust Abetween thepistonsrl andfcylindersq K :noted that the n kand link-assemblies; 1 pro'i'fidedl-bfatvgneiiy lthe" 1= nectionbeiiigillustratedi inFigure's 8 and 110 i' as comprising integral lugs .36 formed on and lugsjbeingfprovided oneach piston in this towhich weightsofthe constituent elements kof eachl such assembly are' combined to obtain maximum: mass mffeach reciprocating `unit.' Due tofthisjcombinedmass, 'which enhances the inertla 'vof `the reciprocatingunits, a considv erable portion off the power generated by the is `used,'in'l expanding gases in the cylinders theinertia of the Vreciprocating units and is in fact stored vin saidv units as potentialy energy to be utilized inthe later sta es of the power ystroke vwhen the' expansive e ect of the gases ison the wane due to heat losses, thus prol-r riving-:r'naximum powerffrom the expanding j 'gases ywhich is applied tok turnv thecam 14 after the force of. said gases hasfbe'en reduced through heat losses; p p p s In the ymod'fication:according to Figures- 5,6 and-.7, theengineis in its vmain essentials the/same as above described save that the spiders:` and yrollers Y26 'arel omitted and modifiedmeans, hereinafter set jforth, substituted.

4A As shownin thetigures above noted, the bearingplates 27 carriedby the links 16 are provided with'y parallel rows ofi-gear n teeth 28 on provided parallel rows ofigear teeth 31 f'havin gthe` same pitch as the teeth 28V and Ybe-` v I 1 in'gg -opposed th"eret )"`an i` spaced therefrom. Rollersf32, in this vinstanceltwo lin number,- thoughfthes number may. be varied-as desired, i -each of jbeari'ng' alength` equal tothe width ofthe with gear teeth 33 ron each end ladapted to meshV with the-teeth surfaces 27tand 30; and each formed'- 28and 31, are mounted between land in'rolling engagement with each` pairof opposedsurfaces 27- and 30,.th'e mesh-1 Yv i to held said rollers-32 in position witheut. vthe need offret'ainers. Itis to be pitch lines ofV the teeth 28vand lfcorrespondwith' the surface lines of the the long margins of their bearing faces, and f' a rigidmember29 is mounted' Within andrfix-- l edly oradjustablysupported by themaincase between adjacent cylinders, said vmember 29 having bearingfaces from and in oppositionrto-the'bearing facesv surface outline of the rollers 32, so that, when said teeth are in mesh as above set forth, there is no slippage between the surfaces inrolling contact and axial displacement of the rollers 'fis precluded. When the members 29vare adjustably mounted, las shown, provision is made-.for careful spacing of the surfaces 30 relative to the lates 27. r-

Since the fo lowers 17 Vnormally bearing lffagainst the eccentric surface of the cam14 without departing of the vappended claims specific showing and foregoing description;v

are subject to rapid vvariation of their speeds of rotation,y and since the inertia forces of the elements in operation tend to momenta-` rily; separate said followers vfrom said cani 15"at times,

with consequent slippage and ill effect on the normallycontacting surfaces, it is expedient Vthat means be provided to limit the speed of rotation of said followers to that developed through contact withsaid beam, one such means having been above de scribed `as comprising the teeth 14v on the cam meshing with similar teeth on the fol-I direction of Asaid follower and being. provided with a block of friction-resistant, nonabrasive material secured thereto in position to overlie and bear against the surface of sa id follower.

serving to press the block 35'into close contact with the moving surface of said follower and exert a braking and wiping effect thereon, thuslimiting the speed `of rotation of said follower and minimizing theslipping effect between the cam and followers and at the same time wipingof grit, chips or other foreign matter that might adhere to said follower surface orbe passed thereto from the cam surface and furthe-r smoothing out abrasions or distortions that might occur. v, Y

lSince many changes, alterations and modificatioiis of the form and construction of elementsshownand described may be had from the spirit 'of my invention, and since the invention is'applicable in various modifications to a variety 'of adaptations in a broad field, I wishto be understood as being limited solely by the scope rather-than by the I claim as my invention- 1. An internal-,combustion engine of the character described, comprising, `in combination, a main shaft, a cam fixed `to and rotat-` the curvature of said'spring.

of the follower surf" "face produced through the slight slippage v l yshaft and cam,

`necting saidv able with said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, axially-alined pairs radially of fSaid shaft and cam, pistons mounted for rectilineary Vreciprocation in said cylinders,` links rigidly connecting said pistons in each pair ofaxially-alined cylinders, cam-followers carried by said links in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of said cam, opposed bearing plates on adjacent margins of adjacent links and rotatable piston guide means between and simultaneously engaging adjacent bearing plates of adjacent links.

2. An internal-combustion engine of the character described, comprising, in combination, a main shaft, a cam fixed to and rotatable with said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, axially-alined pairs radially of saidsli aft and cam, pistons mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, links rigidly connecting said pistons in each pair of Aaxially-alined cylinders, camfollowers carried byV said links in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of said cam, and rotatable piston guide means between and simultaneously engaging adjacent margins of adjacent links.

8. An internal-combustion engine of the `character described, comprising, in combina-- tion, a main shaft, a cam fixed to and rotatable with said main shaft, cylinders dis- 'posed in opposed,axially-alined pairs radially of said shaft and cam, pistons mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, links connecting said pistons in each ypair of axially-alined cylinders, cam-followers carried byz'said links in position for rollying engagement with the eccentric surface of said cam and piston guide means engaging said links, said guide means comprising counterpart spiders concentric with said main shaft on each side of said cam, a plurality of spindles on said spiders and rollers carried by said spindles between and in position to engage adjacent margins of adjacent links.

4. An internal-combustion engine of the character described,vcomprising, in combination, a main shaft, a cam on and rotatable ywith said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, axially-aliiied pairs radially of said pistons mounted vfor .rectilinear reciprocation in'said cylinders, links conpistons in each pair of axiallyalined cylinders, cam-followers carried by said linksin position for rolling engagement -with the eccentric surface of said cam, op-

posed bearing plates on adjacent margins of adjacent links between said main shaft and cylinders, counterpart spiders concentric with said main shaft oneach side of said cam Vand a plurality of. rollers rotatably carried by said spidersbetweeii and in position to simultaneously engage the opposed bearingplates of adjacent links. A

5. An internalfcombustion engine of the A rollers and bearing plates,

5 shaft and cam, pistons mounted foi' rectiliny ear reciprocationin said cylinders, links connecting said pistons ineach pair of aXiallyj f alined cylinders, cam-followers carried by said links in position for rolling engagement alc witli the eccentric ,surface of said cam, op-

posed bearing plates carriedby adj acent margins of adj acenty links between saidi'nain shaft and cylinders, counterpartv spiders concentric j with said main shaft oneach sidey ofgsaid camspindlesuniformly spaced opposed, s aXially-alined pairs about said spiders paralflel with said main shaft betweensaid bear-l ing plates andjrollers carried by said spindles I between and vin position tosimultaneously enlinks. .y A, j L Y.

6.* An internal-combustion engine, comprising, in combination, a main shaft, ay cam on and rotatable, with said main shaft, cylino ing engagement withthe eccentric surface of said 'cam opposed-bearing plates on adjacent y.margins of adjacent linksbetween said main .centric ywith said main shaftg on each side of -saidcam, a plurality ofrollers ried by said spidersfbetwjeen and in position ;to simultaneously engagev ing plates of adjacent links and interengaging speed synchronizing means carried byy said' rollers and bearing plates. q y

v 7.. An internal-combustion engine, comprising, in combination, ,aV main shaft, a cam on androtatablewith said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, aXially-alined pa-irs radially ,of said shaft and cam, pistons mountedfor rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, links connecting 'pistons' injeach painof axiallymlined cylinders, cam-follow- .ers carried byv` said links in position for rolling engagement shafty and-cylinders, piston guide means includingrollers between and inv position to simultaneously j. engage 'speedsy-nchronizing means carried'by said 60` 8. An internal-combustionengine,comprising, in combination, .a inain'sliaft, arv cam on i and, rotatable with4 said niain shaft, cylinders disposed in opp`osed, .aXially-alinedpairs radiallyof said shaft and jcam,vpistons mounted 1v f I5 for. reet'liesar'reeipfesation' in. .Seid Cylinders,

in combinavgage the opposedbearing plates of adjacent Y.

pair of aXially-alined cylinders,I cam-follow-v ers carried by said links inposition vfor roll-,-

shaft and cylinders,counterpart spiders conv o Pris/ing, rotatably carthe opposed ybear-y tween adjacent links land surfacesparallel with andV opposed to each of v with the eccentric surface Vof saidlcain,`lopposed bearing plates on adjacent l margins lof adj acentlinksbetween said mainf j the opposed kbearing l g; plate'slbf adjacent links and interengaging cylinders,

vlinks `connecting said pistons in each pair o-f aXially-alined cylinders, cam-followers carriedby said .links in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of said cam and piston guide means engaging said"4 links, jsaid guide means comprising counterpart spiders concentric with said mainshaft on each side of said cam,

9. VAn internal-combustion engine, compris-v 1nl combination, a main shaft, a cam oir ing and rotatable with said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, aXially-alined pairs raa plurality of shaft-s s parallel with said main shaft and connecting` said spiders between adjacent links and vroll-sy dially of said shaft and cam, pistons mounted for rectilinear reciprocation infsaid cylinders, links connecting said lpistons in eachv pair of aXially-alined cylinders, cam-followers carried by said links in4 position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of Y said cam, opposed bearing plateson adjacent margins of adjacent links between said main shaft and cylinders, counterpart spiders concentric with said main shaft on each side of said cam, a plurality of shaftsin parallel relation'with said main shaftand connecting .said spiders between adjacent links and rollers carried by said shafts between and-in position to simultaneously engage the opposed bearing plates of adj acentlinks.

l0. An internal-combustionfengine, comin combination, a main shaft, a .cam on and rotatable with said main shaft,`cyl inders disposed in opposed,axiallyalined pairs radially of said shaft and cam, pistons mounted forrectilineai" reciprocationin said linksl connecting said pistons in veach pair of aXially-alined cylinders, cam-folcylinders,

lowers carried by said links in position for rolling engagement withthe eccentric surface ofsaidrv cam, opposed bearing plates'on'adjacent margins of adjacent links ,betweenl said avv main shaft and cylinders, a rigid member bepresenting bearing prising, in combination, amain shaft, a cam on and rotatable with said main shaft,-` cyl'-vr inders disposed in opposed, axially-aimed pairs radially of said shaft and cam,pistons f mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in vsaid links connecting said pistons inr 'each pair of aXially-alined cylinders, cani-fol'- lowers carried bysaid links in position for l1.r An internal-combustionengine, Vcomrollingengagement with the eccentricV surface of said cam,'opposed bearing plates on adjacent margins of adjacent links between said main shaftand cylinders, parallel rows of `gear teeth on the outer margins of the bearing surfaces of saidv plates, a rigid member bey tween adjacent links and presenting bearing surfaces parallel with and opposed to each of the bearing plates on said adjacent links, parallel rows of gear teeth on the outer margins of said bearing surfaces in opposition with the teeth on said bearing plates and rollers,

' each formed with an annular row of gear teeth adjacent each end, between and simultaneously engaging each pair of opposed bearing surfaces and bearing plates, the teeth Iiis on said rollers meshing with the teeth formed on said bearing plates and surfaces.

12. In an internal-combustion engine having a main shaft journaled in ayhousing, a

j cam'on and rotatable with said main shaft within said housing, cylinders disposed in opposed, aXially-alined pairs about said housing and radially of said shaft and cam, pistons mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, paired links on opposite sides of said cam and connecting pistons in each pair of aXially-alined cylinders and cam-folsition to simultaneously engage adjacent margins of adjacent links. y I "13. In an internal-combustion engine havl inga main shaft journaled in a housin T a i cam on and rotatable with said main shaft within said housing, y opposed, aXially-alined pairsabout said housing and radially of said shaft and cam, pistons `mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, paired links on opposite sides of said cam and connecting pistons in each pair of aXially-alined cylinders and cam-followers cairied by said links in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of saidV cam,y piston guide means comprising counterpart spiders concentric with said main shaft on each side of said cam, each of `said Vspiders comprising an annular hub loosely embracing said main shaft, a plurality of `uniformly spaced rspokes'. radiating from said hub and an annular rim connecting the outer ends of said spokes, a plurality of uniformly spaced spindles carried by said spiders parallel with and spaced from .said main shaft and extending in opposed relation be-` tween adjacent pairs of links and rollers carried by said plurality of spindles in position to simultaneously engage adjacent margins of adjacent links. i i

14. In an internal-combustion 'engine having a main shaft journaled in a housing, a cam on land rotatable with said main shaft cylinders vdisposed in in said cylinders, paired links on opposite"r sides of said cam and connecting pistons in each pair of aXially-alined cylinders, bearing plates on adjacent margins of adjacent pairs of said links and cam-followers carried by said iinks in position for rolling engagement `with the eccentric surface of said cam, piston guide means comprising counterpart spiders concentric with said main shaft on each side of said cam, each of said spiders comprising an annular hub loosely embrac--"SO ing said main shaft, a plurality ofuniformly spaced spokes radiating from said hub and an annular rim connecting the outer ends of said spokes, said annular rim being secured to said housing at uniformly spaced points'-85 intermediate the outer ends of said spokes, a plurality of spindles on said spiders at the intersections of said spokes and rims in parallel relation with said main shaft and extending in opposed relation between adjai490 cent pairs of links and rollers carried by said plurality of spindles in position to simultaneously engage opposed bearing plates on vadjacent links. n

15. In an internal-combustion engine hav ing a main shaft journaled in a housing, a cam on and rotatable with said main shaft within said housing, cylinders disposed in opposed, aXially-alined pairs about said housing and radially of said shaft and cam, pis-9100 tons mounted for rectilinear reciprocation in said cylinders, paired links on opposite sides of said cam and connecting pistons in each pair of aXially-alined cylinders, bearin of said links and cam-followers carried by said links in position for rolling engagement with the eccentric surface of said cam, piston guide means comprising parallel rows of gear teeth on the longer margins of opposed bear ing plates of adjacent pairs of links, rigid members fixed or adjustably secured to said housing between adjacent pairs of links and having bearing surfaces parallel with, spaced from and in f faces carried by said links, parallel rows of gear teeth on the longer margins of said bea-ring surfaces in opposition to the teeth on said bearing plates and rollers, each formed with an annular row of gear teeth adjacent yeach end, between and simultaneously engaging each pair of opposed bearing surfaces and bearing plates, the teeth of said rollers meshing with the teeth carried by said bearing plates and surfaces.

16. In an internal-combustion engine having a main shaft, a cam on and rotatable with said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, aXially-alined pairs radially of said shaft and cam,`pistons mounted for rectilin' plates on adjacent margins of adjacent pa-irsi''105 opposition to the bearing sur-@ ear reciprocation in said cylinders, pairedv links connecting pistons in each pair of opposed cylinders on 'opposite sides of said cam and cam-followers journaled between the links of each pair in position for rolling engagement withrthe eccentric surface of said cam, means for limiting the speed of rotation of said followers, said means comprising a leaf spring mounted between Vthe links in each pair and bridging each follower, said spring having a normal tension towards said follow er, and a friction block carried by said'spring and tension held against `the moving surface of said follower. y 17. In an internal-combustion engine having a main shaft, a cam. on and rotatable with said main shaft, cylinders disposed in opposed, axially-alined pairs radially of said shaft and cam and pistons mounted for reo- Vtilinear reciprocation in saidcylinders, means for connecting the pistons 'ineach pair of aXially-alined cylinders to utilize and enhance the inertia effect of said reciprocating'y elements, said means comprising paired links disposed on opposite sides of said cam and connecting pistons in opposed, axially-alined Y cylinders, each of said links being formed g with diverging terminal arms on each end engaging and rigidly secured to lugs on said pistons. v

Signed at Colorado Springs, in the county,V of El Paso and State of Colorado, this 27th day of March, Y1929. Y n

4 Y LEO IMBLUM.

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