US2393749A

US2393749A - Internal-combustion engine

Info

Publication number: US2393749A
Application number: US519863A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cadella Anthony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1944-01-27
Filing date: 1944-01-27
Publication date: 1946-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1963-01-29

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 27, 1944 a 8 W a W Mom I C O M 0 7 m m a a 4. w fl 9 Patented Jan. 29,1946

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,393,749 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Anthony Cadella, ran-nerd, Conn.

Application January 27, 1944. Serial No. 519,863

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in internal combustion engines and has for an object to provide an internal combustion engine having an expansible or adjustable compression chamber.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration ofthe following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings where satisfactory embodiments of the invention are shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a central vertical sectional view through the head of an internal combustion engine having the invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken as along' the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing another modification;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of certain operating parts removed from the engine of Fig. 4;

I Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view on a horizontal plane through the means of Fig. 5;

Figs. '7 and 8 are detail sectional views through the operating means, the views being taken as along the lines 'l-'| and 3-8, respectively, of Fig. 6.

Referring in detail to the drawings and at first more particularly to the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at I0 is generally indicated an engine block having a cylinder ll therein and in which is reciprocable a piston l2 having connected thereto any or the usual piston rod l3. On the block I0 is a head generally designated H. An opening I5 is cut through head i4 in alignment with the cylinder II and the sides of such opening where it passes through the inner wall 16 of the'head are screw threaded as shown.

A sleeve I1 is fitted in the opening l5 and is threaded to the wall I 8. Beyond head M, the sleeve I1 is externally enlarged as at i3 whereby it includes an annular shoulder l9 overlying the ant from the space between the walls l3 and 23.

At its inner end the sleeve I1 is provided with an internal annular lip 2| (1.

Within the sleeve il a piston device generally designated 22 is arranged in opposing relation to the outer end of the piston l2 and such piston device at its inner end is provided with an annular shoulder 22a normally seated against the lip 2la as shown. A cap 23 is threaded onto the outer end portion of the sleeve and passing centrally through said cap is a rod 24 at its outer end carrying a roller 25 engaged by a cam 26 on a shaft 21. At its inner end the rod 24 carries a plate 23 and bearing at one end against said plate and at its other end against the piston device 22 is a heavy coil spring 29. Clearly the spring 29 constantly tends to maintain the piston device 22 against the lip 2la. Openings 3!! convenience of adjustment and in a multi-cylinder engine all cylinders are constructed as herein and preferably the control cam for the pistondevice of each cylinder is on the same rod 21.

Thepiston device 22 with the piston l2 define opposing portions of the walls of a compression chamber 3| when the piston is in its outer most position as shown. A valve 32 may control the movement of fuel to such chamber. At its outer end Piston l2 comprises essentially an annulus. A ring or annulus 33 is threaded into place in the outer end of the piston so that there is a central opening through the outer end of the latter. Actually piston l2 comprises inner and outer bodles34 and 35 of which the latter has the an nulus 33 threaded into its outer end portion.

Inner body 34 has a raised central outer end portion 36 of a diameter to enter and fill the opening through the annulus 33 and with the latter and the outer end of the side wall of body 35 completes the outer end of the piston l2.

Surrounding raised portion 33 the body 34 has an annular shoulder 31 normally engaged with the inner side of-the annulus 33 whereby outward movement of the body 34 relative to the body 35 is positively limited. A coil spring 38 bears against the inner side of the head end of the body 34 and against a bracket 33 on the wrist pin 43, see Fig. 2, and serves toconstantly urge the body 34 to a position with the mentioned annular shoulder against the inner side of the annulus 33. t

In the operation of the engine the piston device 22 and the inner piston body 34 have no movement relative to the outer piston body 35 under normal conditions. The

springs

29 and 38 are of such strength and are so set that the force of the normal explosion in the chamber 3| causes no movement of the piston device 22 and only movement of the inner body 34 with the outer body 35. However, on an excessive pressure being developed in the firing or compression chamber 3| the piston device 22 may move outwardly away from the lip 2la further compressing the spring 29.

This results in an enlargement of the compression and firing chamber 3| and as the piston.

' may be planned and in fact is planned to reduce the capacity of the compression chamber so that the compression is increased as from sixty to one hundred pounds or such other figures as may be decided upon.

n firing of the compressed charge the pressure in the chamber may jump to three hund ed pounds (per square inch) and immediately the piston l2 starts inwardly in the cylinder 1 I. As the piston so moves the pressure drops. Piston device 22 is set to be held stationary by the spring 29 on the development of the three hundred pound or other predetermined normal pressure so that the maximum efliciency of the engine is obtained. At this time innerbody 34 moves as a unit with outer body 35 of the piston I2. I

On excessive explosive pressure, as on pre-ignition or on increase of fuel supply and slower piston movement such as may result at the start of the climb 01' a, hill, etc., the piston device 22 moves outwardly relieving the excessive pressure as the piston l2 starts its working stroke. As

piston l2 so moves the pressure above it falls and when such pressure is back to the predetermined maximum for which the spring 29 is set the latter starts the return movement of the piston device 22 prolonging the cylinder pressure at the three hundred pounds (or otherpredetermined amount) maximum pressure as predetermined.

It is noted inFigs. l and 2 that the hole [5 has been cut through the head of an engine of standard construction as now on the market so that in such figures the invention has been applied to an existing engine. By manipulation of the shaft 21 the cam 26' may be turned in one direction or the other to further force the rod 24 inwardly or to permit the same to move outwardly whereby to increase or decrease the compression of the spring 29 and to thus change the normal maximum pressure at which the engine is to operate and yet have the piston device 22 remain stationary.

Spring 38 is of a construction to maintain the inner piston body 34 with its annular shoulder seated against the annulus 33 under the normal operating pressures dveloped in the engine. This spring is under somewhat less compression than the spring 29 whereby the inner piston body 34 will yield to increase the size of the compression and firing chamber on the development of an excessive pressure while the piston device 22 will yield only on development of a pressure in excess of that required to unseat the device 34.

Thus the constructions maybe used to supplement one another. However, it is to be understood that either structure may be used alone. When the inner piston .body 34 is used and the piston device 22 is not used the entire task oi'enlarging the compression chamber and relieving excessive pressure therein and of prolonging the application of full maximum pressure to the piston I2 is preformed by the said inner piston body in movements relative to movements of the outer piston body 35.

In Fig. 3 the invention is shown. as incorporated in a new construction wherein the engine block and head are formed as an integral casing including a lower or block portion having a cylinder 46 therein and an outer or head portion 41 having a bore 43. therethrough in the nature of an extension of the cylinder .46. Within the cylinder 46 and reciprocable toward and from the outer end thereof is a piston 49 connected with a piston rod 50.

A piston device is disposed in the bore 48 in opposing relation to the piston 49 and with the '55. Between the plate and the head of the piston device 5| is a coil spring 56 normally serving to retain the device in position with its flange 52 against the outer endof the body portion 41. On loosening of a lock or jam nut- 51 about the shank of the screw the latter may be adjusted to increase or decrease the compression of the coil spring 56 whereby to change the redetermined pressure at which the piston device will be moved away, from the piston 49 or outwardly in the passage 48.

The device of Fig. 3 functions in the same manner as the device 22 of Figs. 1 and 2. In the structure of Fig. 3 the engine block is specially formed and it is not necessary to cut an opening through an engine head as in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the invention is disclosed as added to or incorporated in an existing engine. Further in the device of Fig. 3 it is necessary to make individual or separate and independent adjustments of the screws 54 of the various cylinders of the engine whereas in Figs. 1 and 2 the adjustments are simultaneous ly made for all the cylinders of the same engine bank by manipulation oi the rod or shaft 21 6| and is defined by a cylindrical wall 66 projecting beyond the upper side of the engine head. A cap 61 is threaded to the upper projecting portion of the wall 66 and may be provided or formed with a sort of funnel device 68 for directing air through an opening 69 in the cap. The cap is provided with other openings for the free movement of air therethrough and the directing of air through the cap is for the purpose of helping to cool the piston device 10 now to be considered.

Piston device 10 is arranged in the bore with its head end in opposing relation to the pisfan 88 and rigidly connected with said piston device and extending outwardl through the cap 81 is a rod or stem 1| having at its outer end a head 12 provided in its side walls with slots 18' extending at or substantially at right angles to said rod or stem. A bracket 18 has a bifurcated upper end receiving between its arms 18 a bar 18 arranged substantiall horizontally, Between the arms 18 the bar 18 is provided with a circular opening in which is'fltted a cam disc 11 through which eccentrically passes a shaft 18 rotatably supported in the bracket arms 18.

A bracket or support 18 under the outer end of the bar 18 mounts a coil spring 88 bearing at its upper end against a plate II. A screw 82 is threaded through the outer end of bar 18 into engagement with the plate 8| and thus the spring 88 is constantly tending to move the outer end portion of bar 18 outwardly in a direction away from the engine. Also mounted on cap 81 is a bracket means 88 to which is pivoted a link;like means 88 the outer end portion of which is bi- I furcated and straddles the bar 18 at a point between the screw 82 and the shaft 18. i

A stop in the form of a pin or roller 88 is mounted between the outer ends of the arms of the means 88 and inwardly of such roller a pin 88 passes through the bar 18 and has its ends disposed in slots 81 in the arms of the said means, Mounted on this pin 88 between the arms of the means 84 and at one side of the bar 18 is a dog or rocker 88 adapted for pivotal movement and having an extension 88 to which is connected a coil spring 88 constantly tending to rock the dog.

about its pivot whereby to maintain it in contact with the roller 88. A cross pin 8i carried by the inner end portion of the bar 18 and extending into the slots 18 provides a pin and slot connection between said bar and the head 12.

In the operation of the engine of Fig. 4 the piston device 18 functions much the same as the piston devices of the figures previouslydescribed. The disc or cam 11 is preset to dispose the piston device in the desired relation to the piston 88 when the device is in its normal orinnermost position. Similarly the screw 82 is adjusted to have the spring 88 functioning through the bar 18, as alev'er pivoted on disc 11, exert the desired and predetermined pressure to maintain the piston device in such preset position against normal explosive pressures in chamber 82.

{lilies for zero clearance between the parts at all In this thirdmodification the compression chamber is made of small capacity as in the other forms of the invention disclosed. On development of an excessive pressure the device 18 moves upwardly relieving the pressure somewhat by enlarging the cubic capacity of the tiring and compression chamber and then moves downwardly in the direction or movement of the piston prolonging the application of the maximum pressure to the latter, downward movement of the piston device is determined by the movement of the bar 18 about the disc 11 and such movement is limited by the I roller or pin 88 and the means 88.

Disc or cam 11 also provided a means for making an adjustment of the device 18 toward the piston 88 whereby to reduce the cubic capacity of the compression chamber 82 to compensate for wear or the piston 88 and the consequent loss of compression. For example, if the original and desired compression pressure is one hundred pounds and because of leakage caused-by wear of the piston 83 the compression pressure being obtained is only ninety pounds the disc or cam 11 is adjusted to lower the pivot point of the bar 18 and thus lower the piston device 18 in the cylinder 88 reducing the cubic capacity of the chamber 82 so that the compression obtained therein will be increased. This adjustment of the cam 11 results in a rocking of the bar 18 to carry its outer end away from spring 88 and now screw v82 is adjusted through the bar to restore the spring to the desired compression.

While the take up device between the relatively

movable parts

18 and 88 is herein disclosed as applied to the control of the piston device 18 it is to be understood that such take up device is of general application for the purpose of maintaining zero clearance between a pair of parts. This structure may be used in engine valve tappet structures to prevent tappet noises. etc. It

However, on creation of an excessive pressure in chamber 82 the piston device 18 is forced outthe excessive pressure is relieved on the working stroke of the piston 83 the spring 88 acting through the bar or arm 18 forces the piston device 18 back to normal position, the movement of the bar 18 about the disc 11 being limited by the roller or pin 88.

On any rocking movement of the bar 18 caused by outward movement of the piston device 18 the pivoted dog 88 (as it is carried with the bar) is rocked on its pivot by the coil spring 88 and kept in mechanical engagement with the pin 88. Thus the dog is always in engagement with the pin 88 and on reverse movement of the bar 18 b the spring 88 as the bar moves upwardly the dog is rocked back about its pivot but staying includes means for maintaining mechanical contact and thus zero clearance between a, pair of relatively movable parts, the contact being, in the present instance maintained by the spring urged dog 88 and the pin or roller 85.

The structures including the piston devices of the various figures provide for engines of higher.

than usual operating pressures and for the avoid ing of engine knock. While the present structures provide for extra high compression, since they allow for only a small capacity of compression chamber while providing for the customary size of charge, they also provide expansible or adjustable compression chambers whereby engine knock is avoided. Thus with the present structures an engine to use higher octane gasoline is provided and one taking full advantage of the possibilities of such fuel for efilcient operation.

While the cam 28 has been described as manually adjustable by rotation or turning of the shaft 21 it is contemplated that this shaft be controlled according to the speed of the engine as by a vacuum operated means or the like. Thus as a car equipped with the engine starts to climb a hill the cam may be adjusted to somewhat relieve the compression of the spring 28 so the piston device 22 may be unseated with a less ressure.

The maximum cylinders will all be mounted on the same shaft 18. As a car equipped with such an engine starts slowly up a grade the cams 11 are either manually or from the engine adjusted to' slightly raise thev piston device Ill to enlarge the compres sion chamber whereb there will be. adrop in compression pressure and knocking in the engine will be avoided. At the proper time the cams or discs Tl are returned to their normal positions.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

1.'In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a head on said block, a piston in said cylinder and recipro cable toward and from said head, said head having an opening therethrough in alignment with said cylinder, a sleeve extending through: said head and providing side walls for said opening, an internallip at the inner end of said sleeve, a piston device in said sleeve in opposing relation to the piston and cooperating with the latter when it is at the outer end of its stroke to define a compression chamber, a cap closing the outer end of said sleeve, a rod movable through said cap, a plate on the inner end of said rod, a coil spring hearing at its respective ends against said plate and the piston device and constantly tending to keep the latter against said lip, and adjustable cam means adjustable to cause movement of said rod to decrease and increase the compression of said spring depending on the direction of movement of the cam.

2. In an internal combustion engine, an engine,

block having a cylinder therein, a head on said block, a piston in said cylinder and reciprocable therein toward and from said head, said head having an opening therethrough in alignment with said cylinder, a sleeve threaded into and extending through said head and providing side walls for said opening, a piston device in said sleeve in opposing relation to the piston and cooperating with the latter when it is at the outer end of its stroke to define a compression chamber, a cap closing the outer end of said sleeve, a rod movable through said cap, aplate at the inner end of said rod, a coil spring hearing at its respective ends against said plate and the piston device and constantly tending to move the same inwardly in said sleeve, a stop limiting inward movement of the piston device by said spring, and cam means adjustable to cause movement of said rod to decrease and increase the compression of said spring depending on the direction of movement of the cam.

3. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from the outer end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passage therethrough providing in efiect a continuation of said cylinder, 3, piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end of said piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber at the outer end of the cylinder when the piston is in its outermost position, a cap closing the outer end of said passage, a rod connected with said piston device and slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end a head connected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection, a screw passing through the other end portion of said arm and at the inner side thereof connected with.a plate; a coil spring bearing against said plate and normall tending to act therethrough and move said other end portion of the arm outwardly away from the engine, said arm having a circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a disc in said opening, a bracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc in eccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the disc acts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower the piston device in said passage against the action of said spring.

4. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from the outer end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passage therethrough providing in effect a continuation of said cylinder, a piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end Of said piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber, a cap closing the outer end of said passage, a rod connected with said piston device and slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end a head connected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection, a screw passing through the outer end portion of said arm and at the inner side thereof connected with a plate, a coil sprin bearing against said plate and normally tending to act therethrough and move said other end portion of the arm outwardly away from the engine, said arm having a circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a disc in said opening, a bracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc in eccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the disc acts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower the piston device in said passage against the action of said spring, a stop device limiting rocking movement of said arm about said disc, a rocker on said'arm, and a spring constantly tending to shaft said rocker and thereby maintaining it in mechanical contact with said stop in all positions of the arm.

5. In a take up device, a pair of parts of which one is movable toward and from the other, cam

'means providin mechanical contact between said parts, and spring means causing said cam means to move and maintain said mechanical contact between said parts on movement of one of said parts in a direction from the other thereof.

6. In a take up device, an arm, a bracket having a passage receiving said arm, a roller at the outer end of said passage and toward and from which said arm is movable, said bracket having slots in'its portions at the sides of said passage and extending in the direction of said roller, a pin passing through said arm and movable in said slots for guided movement of the arm toward and from said roller, a cam pivoted on said pin at one side of said arm, and a coil spring constantly tending to rock said cam on said pin and serving to thereby maintain the cam in mechanical contact with the roller at all times as the pin and arm move toward and from the roller within the limits of said slots.

7. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and fromthe outer end thereof, a head on said block and havin a cylindrical passage therethrough providing in eifect a continuation of said cylinder, 9,

passage, a rod connected with said piston device and slidable through said cap whereby the piston ieviee is movable toward and from the piston,

and a cam means adjustable to control such movement.

8. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from the outer end thereof, a head on said block and hav-. ing a cylindrical passage therethrough providing in effect a continuation of said cylinder, 9, piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end of said piston and with the latter 'defining a compression chamber at the outer end of the cylinder when the piston is inits outermost position, a cap closing the outer end of said passage, a rod connected with said piston device and slidable through said cap, an arm havingat one end a head connected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection, said arm having a, circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a disc in said opening, a bracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc in eccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the disc acts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower the piston device in said passage.

9. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from the outer end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passage therethrough providing in eiiect a continuation of said cylinder, a piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end of said Piston and with the latter defining a compression chamber, a cap closing the outer end of said passage, 0. rod connected with said piston device and 'slidable through said cap, an arm having at one end a head connected with the outer end of said rod by a pin and slot connection, said arm having a circular opening therein intermediate its ends, a disc in said opening, abracket mounting a shaft passing through said disc in eccentric relation thereto whereby on rotation of the shaft the disc acts as a cam to raise and lower the arm and thus raise and lower the piston device in said passage, a stop device limiting rocking movement of said arm about said disc, a rocker on said arm, and a spring constantly tending to shift said rocker and thereby maintain it in mechanical contact with said stop in all positions of the arm.

10. In an internal combustion engine, an engine block having a cylinder therein, a piston reciprocable in said cylinder toward and from the outer end thereof, a head on said block and having a cylindrical passage therethrou h providing in effect a continuation of said cylinder, a piston device in said passage in opposed relation to the outer end or said pistonand with the latter defining a compression chamber at the outer end of the cylinder when the piston is in its gutermost position, a rod connected with said piston device, and a cam means adjustable to operate on said rod and vary the position'of said piston device in relation to said piston.

ANTHONY CADELLA.