US2715391A - Rotary jet engine - Google Patents

Description

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.7.

Norris E. Smith INVENTOR.

Aug. 16, 1955 N. E. SMITH ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 N. E. SMlTH ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 82' Fig.2. 80

Fig. 8. 3 Norris E. Smifh INVENTOR.

g- 16, 1955 N. E. SMITH 2,715,391

ROTARY JET ENGINE Filed March 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Norris E. Smith INVENTOR,

1 2 4 I8 BY MEM United 2,715,391 Patented Aug. 16, 1955 ROTARY JET ENGINE Norris E. Smith, San Angelo, Tex., assignor of one-half to Western Mattress Company, San Angelo, Tex., a partnership Application March 19, 1952, Serial No. 277,341

4 Claims. (Cl. 123-43) This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a rotary jet engine and more specifically pertains to a jet engine of either the pulse or continuous et type and which shall have a minimum of moving parts.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved simplified rotary engine of the jet type which shall be capable of equally efficient operation from either a combustible mixture, or any expansible motive fluid.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved motor or jet engine wherein the jet chambers and jet nozzles are stationary and discharge the expansible gases into a surrounding expansion chamber of the rotary member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jet engine of the character hereinbefore described which shall be provided with means for producing a compressed supply of expansible gases for delivery to the jet chambers and discharged therefrom, and wherein the compressor means shall be disposed centrally of and within the stator carrying the jet chambers.

A still further important object of the invention is to provide an improved sealing means for establishing a fluid tight sealing engagement between the rotor and stator members of the engine.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention, which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is an end elevational view of one suitable embodiment of apparatus incorporating therein the principles of this invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical central transverse sectional view through the apparatus of Figure 1, being taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the apparatus of Figure 1 being taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional detail view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a further fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2, but showing the parts in a different position and illustrating the manner in which the sealing vane of the stator passes through the rotary abutment of the rotor of the engine;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a radial sealing element of the compressor assembly of the engine; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a rotary abutment forming part of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, Although the drawings illustrate a rotary jet engine which is particularly adapted for the use of a combustible mixture which is exploded in the jet chambers, it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable -to any other pressure fluid of an expansible character such as steam, compressed air or the like, and that hereinafter the term expansible fluid is to be understood as being employed generally to designate any expansible motive fluid including a combustible mixture or combustion gases.

In the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the novel rotary jet engine in accordance with this invention comprises as its essential and main elements a support generally indicated by the numeral 10, a rotor designated generally by the numeral 12, and a stator indicated generally by the numeral 14.

As shown more clearly in Figure 3, the support 10 may consist of a U-shaped frame having a base 18 with a pair of parallel upstanding support standards 20 rising therefrom in spaced relation, between which is fixedly secured a supporting axle 22 removably retained as by fastening means 24 which are threaded upon the opposite ends of the same. The axle 22 is preferably although not necessarily disposed horizontally, and extends axially of the rotor and stator as set forth hereinafter.

Secured to one of the standards 20 upon the inside surface of the same as by supporting pins 26 or the like, is a double pulley 28 for a purpose to be subsequently set forth. Encircling the axle 22 is a tubular sleeve or bushing 30 which at one end abuts against the pulley 28 and at the other end abuts against the hub portion of a circular disk or plate 32 forming a part or" the stator 14 and which in turn abuts against the inside surface of the other standard 29.

The plate 32 may be fixedly secured in non-rotative fashion to the standard 20 if desired, or may be fixedly secured to the axle 22 if the latter is held in a non-rotative manner with respect to the standards. In any event, it is intended that the plate 32 shall be stationary. The hub portion 34 is rotatably received upon the bushing 30 and is rotatable with respect to the axis of the axle 22, regardless of whether the latter is stationary or rotatable, the hub 34 being rotatably received between the adjacent surfaces of the stationary pulley 28 and disk 32.

Extending radially outwardly from the hub 34 and from one side of the same is a disk-like plate 36 which at its outer end is provided with a cylindrical rim 38. The portion of the rotor between the hub 34 and the rim 38 constitutes a cylindrical expansion chamber 40, see Figures 2, 4 and 6. The plate 32 of the stator 14 is likewise provided at its radially outer end with a cylindrical rim 42 which is received within the chamber and is spaced from the cylindrical wall of the same to provide an annular compartment constituting the aforesaid expansion chamber 40.

A ring or annulus 44 is removably secured to the open side of the rotor 12 for covering or closing the open side of the latter which is opposite to the plate-like wall 36, this annulus being removably secured by fastening bolts 46 and overlying the radially outer portion of the stator 14, as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

It will thus be apparent that the expansion chamber 40 is completely enclosed by the cylindrical walls 38 and 42, and by the annular side walls 36 and 44, with the walls 33, 36 and 44 being rotatable, while the wall 42 is stationary.

As shown more clearly in Figure 2, it will be seen that the stator has a pair of concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls 42 and 48. Within the wall 48 there is provided a pair of cylindrical compressor chambers 51) and 52, which are separated by a radially extending partition 54.

Disposed between the cylindrical walls 42 and 48, are

the walls of a pair of jet chambers, which in the embodiment illustrated constitute combustion chambers, each being indicated by the numeral 56. These chambers are disposed substantially tangentially of the cylindrical stator and rotor, and upon the periphery of the stator are provided with exhaust outlet openings 58 which open into the expansion chamber 40. It will thus be seen that when an expansible gas such as compressed air, steam, exhaust gases under pressure, or a combustible mixture which is to be subsequently exploded in the jet chamber, is discharged from the jet chamber through the exhaust outlet openings 58 into the expansion chamber, the same will expand in the expansion chamber, and by means to be subsequently set forth will cause rotation of the rotor in which is disposed the expansion chamber.

As will now be readily apparent from Figure 2 in conjunction With Figure 3, each of the compressor chambers and 52 will deliver its contents into one of the jet chambers 56, from which the same will be discharged into the expansion chamber. Obviously, any desired compressor means may be disposed in the compressor chambers to effect this purpose, and the present invention is not limited to any type of compressor. However, as one means for suitably carrying out the principles of this invention, the compressor may be of the construction disclosed in Figure 2, whereby there is integrally formed upon the hub of the rotor which extends into the two compressor chambers 52 and 50, a cylindrical piston member each of which is indicated by the numeral 60, which is disposed eccentrically of the axis of its corresponding compressor chamber. Thus, as the rotor revolves, the piston integral therewith or fixedly secured thereto will rotate eccentrically within the compressor chamber in rolling contact with and in sealing engagement with the cylindrical walls of the same. A sealing means in the form of a radially disposed abutment or vane 62, see also Figure 7, is slidably received in a guide pocket 64 formed in a housing extending between the walls 42 and 48, and is yieldingly urged as by a spring means 66 radially inwardly of the compressor chamber and into sealing engagement with the circumference of the rotary piston 60 therein.

A spring controlled non return inlet valve means 68 admits the expansible fluid mixture, which may be a carbureted mixture if desired, into the compressor chamber of each of the compressors, and the compressed charge therein is discharged by way of a non return compressed fluid discharge valve fitting 70 into the discharge conduit 72 which communicates with a jet chamber 56 associated with that compressor.

As will be readily understood, each compressor thus delivers a compressed expansible mixture into one of v the jet chambers, and this mixture is discharged in the jet chamber at the remote end thereof from the exhaust outlet opening 58' previously mentioned. The expansible fluid had a uniflow action without reversal during its path of travel to the jet chamber and from the et chamber into the expansion chamber.

Since the operation of this type of compressor is generally understood, a further description and explanation of the same is believed to be unnecessary.

Where a combustible mixture is'delivered to the jet chamber, means are provided, such as a spark plug 74 or any other suitable electrical ignition device, as shown in Figure 5, this spark plug being positioned closely adjacent the inlet of the passage 72, and between that inlet and the outlet opening 58.

Referring now more specifically to Figures 2 and 6, it will be seen that each of the jet chambers 56 is provided with a radially outwardly extending sealing member 76 which has a flat terminal portion 78. The member 76 bridges the space between the cylindricalwall 42 and the cylindrical wall formed by the cylindrical surface of the rotor 12, with the terminal portion 78 slidably engaging that latter surface. 'The member 76 thus con- 4 stitutes a partition which completely seals off the expansion chamber on opposite sides thereof. This sealing member 76 serves the primary function of a seal between the rotor and stator; the further purpose of a deflector for directing the exhaust backwardly against the rotary abutment hereinafter described; and the still further purpose of a scavenging means for driving the exhaust gases rearwardly of the rotor with respect to its direction of rotation and towards the exhaust ports 89 A which vent the expansion chamber to the atmosphere in the vicinity of the rotary abutment.

The rotor and expansion chamber are provided with a pair of housings 82 in which are mounted the rotary abutments 84, the latter being in the form of cylindrical members as shown in Figure 8. These rotary abutments are fixedly secured to rotating axles 86 which are journaled in the side wall 36 of the rotor and in the plate 34 as shown in Figure 3. These rotary abutments extend completely across the expansion chamber and havea sealing engagement with the stator by virtue of the sealing of the rotary abutments in the pockets of the housings 82, and by reason of engagement of the abutments with the periphery of the stator. Arcuate recesses 88 extend longitudinally of the surface of the rotary abutments and constitute clearances by which the members 76 and 78 may pass the abutments when the latter are turned in proper synchronized relation to movement of the rotor.

This timed movement of the abutment is obtained by providing each of the abutment shafts 86 with a driving pulley 9t) fixedly secured thereto, and each of these driving pulleys is secured as by a belt or chain drive 92 with a double pulley 28 which is stationarily mounted on the standard as previously set forth. Thus, as the rotor revolves about the axis of the shaft 22, the rotary abutments will be rotated in synchronized relation therewith, and the timing is such that as the sealing member 76 reaches the abutment, the same will pass through the properly positioned recesses 88 therein.

It will now be apparent that the position and speed of rotation of the rotor may be so timed with respect to rotation of the rotary abutments that when the rotor travels in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 2, the lower jet chamber and its sealing member have just been passed by the lower rotary abutment, the expansible fluid being discharged from the lower jet chamber will react against the moving rotary abutment and the stationary sealing member 76, to thus urge the former in a counterclockwise direction. During this travel, the gases in the expansion chamber in advance of the sealing member 76 will be compressed against the upper rotary abutment and discharged through the upper exhaust port 80. At the same time, the upper jet chamber is charged against the upper abutment and imparting a power thrust, while the upper jet chamber sealing member is forcing the exhaustgas'es to be discharged through the lower exhaust port 80.

As indicated in full and dotted lines in Figure 2, the two eccentrically disposed rotary pistons of the rotary compressors are offset at with respect to each other for delivering expansible fluid to the respective jet chambers.

Obviously any desired number of abutments and jet chambers may be employed.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims. 3

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon said support for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chamber therein, a stator moun.- ed upon said support and disposed centrally of said expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with an exhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamber, a sealing vane carried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past said vane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansible medium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jet chamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment, said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansion chamber in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, said means for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressor disposed within said stator.

2. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon said support for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chamber therein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally of said expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with an exhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamher, a sealing vane carried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past said vane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansible medium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jet chamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment, said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansion chamber in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, said means for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressor disposed within said stator, and having conduits communicating with said jet chamber at the end opposite the outlet opening.

3. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon said support for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chamber therein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally of said expansion chamber, said stator having a jet chamber therein with an exhaust outlet opening into said expansion chamber, a sealing vane carried by said stator and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber, a rotary abutment mounted in said rotor and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, means for causing movement of said abutment past said vane during rotation of said rotor and for supplying an expansible medium to said jet chamber, an exhaust port communicating said jet chamber with said expansion chamber in spaced relation to said abutment, said sealing vane causing discharge of exhaust gases from said expansion chamher in advance, rotationally, of said exhaust outlet opening, said means for supplying an expansible medium comprising a compressor disposed within said stator, said compressor comprising a cylindrical compressor chamber in said stator, a cylindrical compressor piston in said rotor and disposed eccentrically of said compressor chamber for rotation therein.

4. A rotary engine comprising a support, a rotor mounted upon said support for rotation about an axis and having an expansion chamber therein, a stator mounted upon said support and disposed centrally of said expansion chamber, said stator having a pair of juxtaposed compressor chambers disposed concentrally of said expansion chamber and having a jet chamber operatively associated with each of said compressor chambers provided with exhaust outlets opening into said expansion chamber, said jet chambers being disposed at diametrically opposite points in said stator, a sealing vane carried by said stator adjacent each of said exhaust openings and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, a pair of diametrically opposed rotary abutmeuts mounted in said rotor and having sealing engagement with the walls of said expansion chamber and with said stator, a pair of cylindrical compressor pistons in said rotor disposed in eccentric relation within corresponding compressor chambers, the axis of eccentricity of said pistons being disposed in diametrically opposed relation with respect to the axis of rotation of said rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 731,425 Benson June 23, 1903 973,064 Paul Oct. 18, 1910 1,717,610 McCarthy June 18, 1929 1,766,005 Sullivan June 24, 1930 1,919,355 Bancroft July 25, 1933

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