US2444764A - Heat engine - Google Patents

Description

E. G. B'AKER July 6, 1948.

HEAT ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 30', 1944 ,m QM W 4 0 31 z [I E 8 5 4 z July 6, 1948.

E. G. BAKER HEAT ENGINE Filed Dec. 30, 1944 Eva/w G. flnmm ZYMQW 770/? NE X E. G. BAKER Jul s, 1948.

HEAT ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 30, 1944 R. am n Patented July 6, 1948 om TED STATES PATENT ol-"el-cs BEEN-1 .Erwi-n G. Baker, Indianapolis, -Ind.

AppIication December 30, 1944, Serial No. 510599 12Cla'1ms. :1 v This invention relates to an engine operating on what mightiheacallecl adelayed'two-cycle principle. priimarwtadvantage :oflthe invention 318 that the strnotmle .iembodying fit :may he made exceedingly simple, lwithont azalves and the :attendant walvin-grgear, icrank shaft, and :any elaborate oiling system. n lstilliurther .umportant advantage no-f: :the'linven'tion usrdzhat a con- -tinuous szfiaw of power. deltverediat ithe final drive shaft andiyet each inistonzandzcylinder has a. rest :period'between the fifingzofsthe zcharge in the sparticularacyl-inder, .zaltlIo-ugh all .of :the cylinders employed in the engine will :fire :once for each revolution of the admire :shaft.

A,:further v irn,porta-nt'ohiect of the invention iis ito :provi.de.an exceedingly-high power output per innit Weight with :such 19:11 overlapping of power :impulses ithat-ithe final drive --is-:by a substantially 'constant :torque.

FIlhese rand-manylotheriohjects and: advantages 1 .of :the invention; will .become {apparent to those versed in the :art :in lthB'ffLOllOWiHB' description ofionetparticular :fcrm f ithe zinventionwzmore or less diagrammatically illustrated-in the ac- .compa-nying drawings, on which Fig. 1-is1alview prirnarily in :central vertical longitudinal :section through (a -.structure. embodying the invention;

Fig. 2,:a :detail in transverse :section through an -oil supply groove sin a :piston on :the line 2-:2 in iFlig. 1;

Fig. '3, a detail. in vertical transverse section 10h the :line git-.3 :in Rig. 1 through the :conneotion between a piston and a drive bar;

Fig. A, ;a vertical transverseseiction ion the vline l-24 inF-lg. 1,;

Fi 5., :a horizontal transverse section on the iline 5-5 in :Fig, 1,;

Big. -fi, *a top ;plan aview 1.0T :the engine impartial section; and

Ri 7, :a view in drontrend l-elevation zin partial section.

iLikeioha-raoters oimeferenceiindicate dike parts throughout the several wiews inlthe drawin s.

In the showing .rherein, -;it is to who understood that in :productiomrefinements will bo-employed particularly in regard to hearings, mounting means of the.=various elements, and the :like. Referring to rthe -.draiwings, a .suitable [housing t0 is termed to carry :therein an L-shaped crank I-.l -in-a stationary imanner, -toihave a vertically disposeddeg thereof \extendingiupwardly :through the-housing .i=ll,.and la horizontally disposed leg extending -.around and :horizontally toward the IOutsDf suitable material-whiohwould he {quite rigidin respect to bending -from the ri ht-an le formed by the vertical and horizontal legs thereof.

-1lhe upwardly directed leg, of theprank rlzl is fixed in position centrally through atop plate zit :carried'in turn by :the housing All. :For vertical adjustment of the crank H the upper and of the crank M may Jae threaded xto ibe-lowered tor-raised rby the turning of the adjusting-nut 43 which screw threadedl-y rengages externally-10f the crank endrand-bears-byits under sideagainst :a seat on :thetop side of :the. plate 42. Then any suitable means ,isprovided to prevent rotation. of the icr-ank H alboutr-its vertical axis, such meansiherein .being v shown as a set screw l4 passling through-an upturned portion of :the plate .l 2 and engaging the crank ,H .therewithin.

,An upper barrel .15 is provideduto havean axial bore therethrough .to fitu-around the upturned leg of the crank-M with aclose-running fit, any suitable bearing surface .or surfaces :heing employed therebetween. KA collar M w-fixed around the prank I l supports thelaarrel l5 .-.fr.om its aunderside so .as to position it in s respect to Fits elevation along the upturned arm of the crank ll-l. "A spacing-collard?! ziS interposed between =the-under sideof the plate 12 and {the top of-;-the barrel l5 'sov-as to maintain that elevzation of (the barrel t5. f-Ilhe barrel 4 51spreferahly-prouided with some external cooling-means herein shown iasia pluralityiof fins 1 ifiiextending therearoundzand the upperportion :of .the housing i0 ,is properly .apertured to provide for .air. passage zthroughtthe housing. and (around and:acr0ss the fins 18.

\Radially spaced outward trom the :axis of the :barrel ..l5 vare a plurality of cylinders .19, herein shown as eight in =num'ber,- each equally :spaced apart circumferentially one from :the :other, the axes iof ;the cylinders being parallel with the centralaxis of the barrel t5. Thesetcylinders llt iqnen through the lunder faceiof the barrel .and .are vplosed at their upper ends with some fuel -igniting means being inserted therethrough, :SllCh iasra spark plug (26. fIlhe barrel L5; is iurther provided with transverse bores =2 rradiallyfextending :trom the central ,bore of the barrel opening into each cylinder (and leading from each .cylindertto finally open-through the outer cylindrical-wall of the barrel, these bores ,21 being ali ned to have their iaxes'in a common transverse plane itowardithet-lowereend .of theebarrel t5.

llhe npperlegat leastof theicrankrl'l is-hollow, :and-is provided with a port 22itoregister1with imar of the housing |-.0. Tlhis crank-Ir! =is 'made the inner ports ofzthe horesiil as the--barrelilz5 may be revolved around the crank arm. The housing l9 engages the lower circumferential wall of the barrel IS with a sliding fit so that the outer ends of the bores 2| are normally closed off, Fig. 5, until those ends register successively with an elongated port 72 on the inner end of a bore 23 passing through the housing 19 and radially aligned.

On the horizontally disposed leg of the crank is revolubly mounted a barrel 24 fixed against longitudinal travel thereon by any suitable means, such as a collar 25 on the crank II and an outer frame 26 supported by the housing I9.

This barrel 24 is interconnected in a driving man nor with the barrel l5 through bevel gears 21 and 28 on the lower and inner ends respectively of the barrels l5 and 24, these gears being in con'-.

- the barrel 24.

: 'Ineach cylinder 29 of the barrel 24 is slidingly mounted a drive bar 39, each of these bars being identical and being externally cylindrical to have asliding fit in its respective cylinder 29.

Then in each of the cylinders H! of the barrel l5is slidingly carried a piston 3! to interconnect by its lower end with the end of the drive bar 39 respectively extending from the lower barrel 24. While it is possible to make an integral connection between the piston 3| andthe drive bar -30 in each case, it is preferable to make a 'rockableconnection to allow for minute errors in machine work, as well as variations occurring in expansion and contraction between the various parts. One form of such a connection between these members is illustrated primarily in Fig. 3, whereinan ear 32 extends from the bar 30 to have parallel vertical faces across which slidingly extend the downwardly directed legs 33 and 34 from the piston 3| and then a piston pin 35 is carried through the leg 33, the ear 32, and the other leg 34 to pin those two members 39 and 3| together in a rockable manner.

;Both the drive bars 39 and the pistons 3| are made out of a highly heat-resisting material, such as may be obtained commercially under the trademark- Graphitar which is used in electric furnaces; "This particular material is not only highly heat-resisting, but its inherently contained graphite affords a substantially frictionless surface bearing against the cylinder walls 29 and IS in each instance. As is indicated in Fig. 1, both the drive bar 3|] and the piston 3| in each instance has substantially the same diameter "throughout its length so that those two members are axially aligned in respect to their receiving cylinders in any and all positions they may take in respect thereto.

To further reduce friction and aid in cooling 'as well, an oil sump 36 is provided in-the lower part of the housing l0 particularly under the barrel 24, and a passageway 31 leads from the outer circumferential face of the barrel 24 inwardly to open into a cylinder 29 in each one thereof. Preferably this passageway 31 is located toward the inner end of the barrel 24 through which the cylinders 29 open, as indicated in Fig. 1. The drive bar 30 in each instance is provided with a bore 38 therethrough registering by its outer end with an opening 39 in the piston pin 35, from which bores 40 and 4| lead upwardly through the respective legs 33 and 34 to a transverse passageway ,42 in turn opening into a central bore 43 leading upwardly through the piston 3| to discharge laterally toward the top end thereof into an oil groove 44 by means of a plurality of transverse passageways 45. This oil groove 44 is located below piston rings 46 carried around the upper end portion of the piston 3|. Preferably, to relieve and permit return flow I of the oil back into the lower sump 36, each .15

piston 3| is provided with a spiral groove 41 lead- 'ing' from below the oil groove 44 so as to carry the oilback down around the piston 3| and discharge it from its lower end to allow it to drop back into the lower portion of the housing ID. This oil return means plus the scraping of the rings 46 above prevents excess oil from flowing past the upper end of the piston.

The lengths of the cylinders l9 and 29 and of the drive bars 30 and pistons 3| are so proportioned that whenone cylinder 29 is atits lowermost position, Fig. 1, and a cylinder l9 at its extreme right hand position, the piston 3| will be at its lower limit of travel with the rings 46 still. well within the cylinder l9, while at. the same time'the drive bar 39 will be in its most extended position from that lower cylinder 29 and still have a sufilcient length of the bar 30 within the'cylinder 29 as to prevent cocking of the bar in the cylinder.

To supply fuel to the various cylinders l9, any suitable fuel supply means may be employed, a simple form being herein shown as by supercharged carburation of a volatile fuel. The barrel 24 is provided with any suitable drive means, such as a worm 48 therearound meshing constantly with a worm wheel 49 fixed on a shaft 50 that extends upwardly into a supercharger 5|, the detail construction of Whichis not herein shown but may be of the standard design now commercially employed. Mounted directly over the supercharger is a carburetor 52 having its discharge through a pipe 53 centrally into the supercharger 5|. An air cleaner 54 is mounted on a pipe 55 which discharges into the carburetor 52. The discharge of the supercharger 5| is taken by a pipe 56 which leads therefrom and around into the upper open end of the crank N, Fig. 1. The only outlet from the crank to discharge the fuel mixture forced therein is through the port 22.

Now when the barrel I5 is revolved about the crank H to start operation initially, such as by starting motor 51, the innermost ports of the transverse bores 2| will register one after another with this port 22 to allow the mixture compressed therein to flow into the cylinder l9. As is the usual practice in a two-cycle system, the upper end of the piston 3| in each instance is preferably provided with a baffle 58 extending diametrically across the piston and carried thereabove a distance greater than the diameter of the'passageway 2|, whereby the gases coming into the cylinder H! from the port 22 will be directed upwardly into the cylinder l9 to notonly flow to the top end thereof, but also to effect a scavenging action by forcing air and exhaust gases when in operation outwardly from the opposite side of the baffle 58 through the passageway 2| and out through the housing passageway 23.

'As the cylinder |9 thus charged with the combustible mixture travels on around to close oil the amines particular Itransverse bore :21 ,the piston 31 inzthat cylinder rises by reascnof the drive bar 30 beingsi-multaneously lifted on-account of the rotary travel-of the barrelz l. This lastaction of the bar forces the piston 3| upwardly in the cylinder [9 to-oompress that fuel mixture, and as the piston 3'1 approaches its upper limit of travel, or slightly thereafter in accordance with the predetermined timing desired, the spark plug 29 then being in the position on the extreme left hand side of the crank H, as indicated in Fig. -1, will be energized by coming under the distributor point 59 insulatedly carried by the plate I2 and in electrical circuitwith a distributor head (it mounted in the usual manner Qua-generator 61' in turn driven through :the spur gear 62 in constant mesh with the ring gear (is-fixed around the outer end of th-ebarrel Z l. In this regard it is understood that thelusual ignitionsystem is employed whereby the transformer coil &4, :herein shown mounted on the generator iii; transforms the generator current into the necessarily high ignition voltage.

That sameaction follows for each of the pistons 3i,'-thechargeineach succeeding-cylinder [9 being ignited .as rapidly as the next succeeding spark plug 20 comes around past the distributor point-59. Then the pistontl in each instance is driven downwardly from its uppermost position to inturn :through its connected drive .bar 30 revalve the barrel '24 :to continue the operation of the engine. It is to .be observed that while each cylinder I29 fires once each every revolution of the :barrel Iii, thereis :a considerable relative delay in the airing of each cylinder as between the time the .onespark plug 20 reaches the firing position under the point .59 and then returns again, during which period the particular cylinder 19 has'been recharged and exhausted and then that charge compressed,

Anyssuitable drive hookupmay be employed to take power from the driven -barrel 24, :one such iormfbeing i2, drive shaft .65 having a pilot end 5 carried :in .a suitable bearing within .the rear end -of the crank lJl and another portion of that shazftfiisupported by the frame 26 in such mannor that not only is :the shaft 65 adequately supported, but also that shaft through its bearing in==the frame 26 will .tend to give support to the horizontal tle-g of "the crank l I. Then a clutch member 5'] driv-ingly mounted on the shaft .65 to slide longitudinally therealong may frictionally interconnect :the shaft :65 with the barrel 24 by pushing the member 67 up against the barrel 24 out suitable friction member =68 interposed therebetween.

.lASJthB s-barrel 2d is turned during the normal operation, the passageway 3.1 in each instance will be submerged in the oil carried in the sump :36 not only to provide normal flow of the oil through that passageway into the cylinder 29, butlalso :to .afio-rd a relief of apartial vacuum which'maysbe-set :up in the cylinder 29 as the drive .ba-r travels outwardly, although this change in pressure within the cylinder 29 will tend to be prevented by reason .of .theopening of the oil lines through the bar 3!! and the piston 3|. In. any event, return travel of the drive bar :30 inwardly within the cylinder 2:9 past the passageway 31 to close oil that passageway will cause the oil flow- :into the cylinder 249 to be forced through those lines provided to cause the oil to discharge intothe piston groove Mas above indicated. The rapid travel of the barrel 24;wil1 also tend to causes scooping actionof the-oil into the passageway 3:1 in each instance, as well asto throw the toil about the :-various members exposed within theihousingzlil. v-

Since there is substantially :a contimious flow of power, :the compression ratio in .eachpower cylinder may be :carried :quite high as compared to the usual:;two or four icycle type :of :engine. The mass ;of .the barrel :24 serves .admirably'ras .a fly :wheel in addition :to its primary purpose ;of translating the reciprocating: motion: of the piston 31 into 'rotarymotion in :the absence :nf :a crankshaft and the heretofore usual connecting rods.

While I have herei-n .shownsand described my invention in the :one particular form, zasaipreviously indicated, mechanical changes unay be employed in .many instances without departing from the spirit of the invention, :and Itherefore do not desire to be limited to :that precise 'form beyond thelimitations as may be imposed-.byithe following claims.

I claim:

'1. An :engine comprising a :rotatable :harrel having a plurality of cylinders therein iwith'aparallel axes centered son. a vcommon circle aboutzthe axis of :said barrel; a .pistoniineach cylinder; a second barrel rotatable-about an axis :normal to the axis of said :first barrel; geartmeans drivingly interconnecting said barrels; said second barrel having a plurality of openings therein from one end equal in number to that-pf said cylinders; members .slidingly fitting throughsaid openings; and means interconnecting :said pistons to said members, one piston to cachmember.

An engine comprising a rotatable barrel having a plurality of cylinders-therein-with parallel axes centered on :a common circle about the axis of said barrel; .a piston in each cylinder; :2. second barrel rotatable about an axis normal to the axis of said first barrel; gear means drivingly interconnecting said barrels; said-second barrel having a plurality of openings therein from one end equal in number to that of said cylinders; members slid-ingly fitting through said openings; and means interconnecting said pistons to said members; one'piston to each'memher; said last interconnecting means comprising a rockable joint.

3. An engine comprising a vdriving rotatable barrel having a plurality of cylinders therein spaced apart and outwardly -from the rotation axis of the barrel; a piston in each .of said ,cylinders; a second barrel rotatable on an axissub stantially .at rightangles to the rotation axis of said first barrel; a plurality .of cylinders in .said second barrel equal in number. to that of the cylinders in the first barrel; a slide bar in .each second barrel cylinder; .means interconnecting each bar to a respective piston; fuel vconducting means axially entering said first barrel, and having a discharge port; said first barrelihav ing a passageway extending transversely thereof to have an innerport registrable upon bar-rel rotation with said fuel discharge port, .andhaving another port opening vinto a. cylinder one passageway being provided .for each cylinder; said first barrel being further provided with .an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with exhaust port; .a housing about said barrel at least in the region of .said fuel and exhaust passageways; said housing having an exhaustport and said barrel exhaust ,ports being registrable there.- with one after anothen 4. An engine comprising .a driving rotatable barrel having a plurality of cylinders therein spaced apart and outwardly from the rotation axis of the barrel; a piston in each of said cylinders; a second barrel rotatable on an axis substantially at right angles to the rotation axis of said first barrel; a plurality of cylinders in said second barrel equal in number to that of the cylinders in the first barrel; a slide bar in each secand barrel cylinder; means interconnecting each bar to a respective piston; fuel conducting means axially entering said first barrel and having a discharge port; said first barrel having a passageway extending transversely thereof to have an inner port registrable upon barrel rotation with said fuel discharge port, and having another port opening into a cylinder, one passageway being provided for each cylinder; said first barrel being further provided with an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with an exhaust port; a housing about said barrel at least in the region of said fuel and exhaust passageways; said housing having an exhaust port and said barrel exhaust ports being registrable therewith one after another; a fuel igniter in each cylinder; a relatively fixed electrode in circuit with a source of current; and an electrode on each igniter revoluble in the path of said fixed electrode.

5. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes.

6. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; an oil sump through which said second barrel travels; means conducting oil from the sump into the second barrel cylinders; and oil conducting means in the cylinders of both barrels and across their interconnections.

7. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the-other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registralble once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; said fuel supply means comprising a passageway through at least one of said crank legs, and said fuel discharge port being through a wall of that leg.

8. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being-provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and havingv an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; said fuel supply means com prising a, passageway through at least one of said crank legs, and said fuel discharge port being through a wall of that leg; said one leg of the crank having a passageway therethrough leading from said fuel supply means; and said fuel supply discharge port being in said first leg communicating with said passageway therein; and means creating atmospheric or above pressure in said leg passageway.

9. In an engine, a pair of barrels one rotatably mounted on an axis at substantially right angles with the axis of the other; each of said barrels having a plurality of cylinders therein whose axes are respectively parallel to their lbarrel axes; pistons in all of said cylinders; means interconnecting one piston of one barrel with one piston of the other barrel consecutively therearound whereby movement of the pistons in one barrel will tend to revolve the other barrel through the interconnecting pistons; one of said barrels being provided with transverse passageways opening into its cylinders; fuel conducting means having a port registrable with said passageways consecutively upon rotation of said one barrel; said one barrel also having an exhaust passageway from each of its cylinders; and fuel igniting means operable in each of said one barrel cylinders once each barrel revolution.

10. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; said fuel supply means comprising a passageway through at least one of said crank legs, and said fuel discharge port being through a wall of that leg; said one leg of the crank having a passageway therethrough leading from said fuel supply means; and said fuel supply discharge port being in said first leg communicating with said passageway therein; and means creating atmospheric or above pressure in said leg passageway; and gear means drivingly interconnecting said barrels.

11. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; said fuel supply means comprising a passageway through at least one of said crank legs, and said fuel discharge port being through a wall of that leg; said one leg of the crank having a passageway therethrough leading from said fuel supply means; and said fuel supply discharge port being in said first leg communicating with said passageway therein; and means creating atmospheric or above pressure in said leg passageway; means supplying oil to each of said other barrel cylinders; and oil conducting means through the pistons of both barrels and said interconnecting means, whereby the pistons in said other barrel serve as oil pumps t-o deliver oil to the upper ends of the pistons in said one barrel.

12. An engine comprising an L crank fixed in position; a barrel revolubly mounted on one leg of the crank; a second barrel revolubly mounted on the other leg of the crank; each of said barrels being provided with a common number of cylinders opening at adjacent ends of the barrels; a piston in each cylinder of each barrel interconnected at substantially right angles one with another; fuel supply means having a discharge port; a transverse passageway entering each cylinder of said first barrel and having a port registrable once each barrel revolution with said fuel port; a relatively stationary housing member fitting around said first barrel and having an exhaust port; said first barrel having an exhaust passageway from each cylinder with a discharge port positioned to register with said housing port once each barrel revolution; fuel igniter means in each cylinder; an electrode extending externally of each igniter; a relatively fixed electrode past which said igniter electrodes travel; and a source of current interconnected with said electrodes; said fuel supply means comprising a passageway through at least one of said crank legs, and said fuel discharge port being through a wall of that leg; said one leg of the crank having a passageway therethrough leading from said fuel supply means; and said fuel supply discharge port being in said first leg communicating with said passageway therein; and means creating atmospheric or above pressure in said leg passageway; and gear means drivingly interconnecting said barrels; and means delivering fuel under pressure into said fuel conducting means.

ERWIN G. BAIGBR.

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 367,029 Esty July 26, 1887 839,300 Krohn Dec. 25, 1906 972,966 Williams Oct. 18, 1910 1,250,709 Tanner Dec. 18, 1917 2,392,280 Allison 1.V.a Aug. 14, 1945

Images