US3701306A

US3701306A - Rotary engine

Info

Publication number: US3701306A
Application number: US76131A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leonard F Eck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-09-28
Filing date: 1970-09-28
Publication date: 1972-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-31

Abstract

A rotary fluid driven engine includes a stationary housing having a cylinder block rotatably mounted therein and having a plurality of spaced bores. Each bore has a piston reciprocally mounted therein and connected by connecting rods to an eccentric rotor which is rotatably mounted within the housing for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of rotation of the cylinder block. Fluid under pressure is applied is sequence into bores of the cylinder block in accordance with controlled ports to effect movement of the respective piston in the bores and rotation of the eccentric rotor. A plurality of spaced shafts are fixed relative to the cylinder block and engage respective cam surfaces in the eccentric rotor to rotate the cylinder block and a driven shaft connected to said block and to maintain relative rotation of the cylinder block and eccentric rotor and reciprocation of the pistons.

Description

Oct. 31, 1972 United States Patent Eck,

Primary Examiner-William L. Freeh i541 ROTARY ENGINE Attorney-Fishbum, Gold and Litman [72] Inventor: Leonard F. Eek, 418 North l-lartup,

McPherson, Kans. 67460 Sept. 28, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 76,131

ABSTRACT fluid driven engine includes a stationary A rotary [22] Filed:

housing having a cylinder block rotatably mounted therein and having a plurality of spaced bores. Each W b m m o dr eS i n mm b ww P 265 8N8 mm 5 3 9 m T 2 4 S u T ""9 my a '4 m" d T e A "9 t. "n" 0 P mmm s B n T m m m M R E m "a 1 "M N Q M U d s w UrmF 1]] .l 2 8 6 555 5 [[IIIL [It spaced shafts are fixed relative to the cylinder block and engage respective cam surfaces in the eccentric rotor to rotate the cylinder block and a driven shaft connected to said block and to maintain relative rotation of the cylinder block and eccentric rotor and reciprocation of the pistons.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2222755 8000089899 44444444 l/l/l/l/ 11111111 99999 .99 i m m mm m m t m.. m u e e n nn S fl mnawr ems luhr no ODSTMECR 27336354 4 304556 99999999 11111111 l/l/l/l/ 6003 2 3 11 1 3422445 69925887 43242282 84329692 11 2223 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS v m n PATENTED B 12 3.701. 306

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR.

Leonard EEcK ll 2. r

ATTORNEYS PATENTED 0m 3 1 m2 SHEET 2 BF 4 INVENTOR. Leonard I? Eek mromvws ROTARY ENGINE The present invention relates to rotary-engines and more particularly to a rotary engine adapted to operate in response to fluid pressure preferably of an expansion type usable in a closed system having a suitable boiler to create pressure and a condenser in the return.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a rotary engine having the moving parts substantially symmetrical and vibration free and traveling in their own orbit during operation; to provide such a rotary engine characterized by maximum efficiency and the absence of the necessity for counterweights; to provide such a rotary engine having a proper relation between rotation of a cylinder block and an eccentric rotor and movement of pistons within said block and which will develop peak torque upon start of rotation of the rotor and block; to provide such a rotary engine having novel intake and exhaust valve members and novel bearing members in engagement therewith an arranged and shaped to substantially eliminate bleeding of fluid between the bearing members and the respective valve members; to provide such a rotary engine which is adjustable and reversible and which has an elongated rotatable support member coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cylinder block and having an intake valve member and an exhaust valve member mounted thereon for rotary movement therewith with the exhaust valve member being mounted on the support member by a lost motion connection whereby the exhaust valve member is free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough; to provide such a rotary engine having a rotatable cylinder block having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bores each having a piston reciprocable therein and an eccentric rotor rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of rotation of the cylinder block with the pistons pivotally connected to the eccentric rotor and abutments on the block engageable with cam surfaces on the rotor all effecting a true motion of the pistons in a circular orbit while maintaining a continuous forward rotational speed and reciprocating lineally relative to the block during rotation of the block and the eccentric rotor; to provide such a rotary engine enclosed within a housing and having a cylinder block with bores opening into the housing whereby piston blow-by is not critical due to exhaust fluid under pressue within the housing and acting on outer surfaces of pistons; to provide such a rotary engine wherein fluid flowing through same effects lubrication of bearings engaging the moving parts; and to provide such a rotary engine which is economical to manufacture, positive in operation, highly efficient in operation, durable in construction, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary engine embodying features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced transverse sectional view through the rotary engine taken on line 22, FIG. 1, and showing relative positions of a cylinder block, eccentric rotor, and pistons within said block.

FIG. 3 is a reduced longitudinal sectional view showing shafts mounted on a peripheral edge of the block and engaging within respective cam surfaces in the eccentric rotor for effecting cooperative rotation between the eccentric rotor and the cylinder block and proper relative positioning thereof.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4, FIG. 1, and showing an intake valve member. v

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG. 1, showing an exhaust valve member.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6- 6, FIG. 1, and showing means rotatably supporting the eccentric rotor and the cylinder block.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing bearing members mounted in intake and exhaust ports of the cylinder block and in engagement with the intake valve member and exhaust valve member respectively.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a fluid driven rotary engine which is adjustable and reversible and has a cylinder block 2 and an eccentric rotor 3 cooperatively connected with the cylinder block 2 to effect associated rotation of said block 2 in response to rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and movement of pistons 4 within respective bores 5 in the rotary block 2 in response to movement of fluid under pressure into and out of the bores 5 of the block 2. The rotary elements are substantially symmetrical about their respective axis of rotation whereby the engine 1 is substantially vibration free.

The rotary engine 1 includes a stationary support or housing 6 having portions providing support for the cylinder block 2 and the eccentric rotor 3 during rotation thereof. In the illustrated structure, the support or housing 6 has a pair of facing generally annular walls 7 and 8 each having a generally concave shape and being suitably connected together in fluid tight relation adjacent the peripheral edges thereof, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced bolts 9 and extending through peripheral edges flanges l0 and 11 respectively and having nuts 12 on the bolts 9 to hold the flanges l0 and 11 in clamped engagement. When the walls 7 and 8 are secured together, a chamber 13 is formed within the support or housing 6 which encloses the cylinder block 2 and the eccentric rotor 3 therein.

The eccentric rotor 3 is rotatably supported on the housing 6 and in the illustrated structure, a pair of

bosses

14 and 15 are axially aligned and extend inwardly from facing surfaces of the walls 7 and 8 respectively with the

bosses

14 and 15 being generally cylindrical in cross-section and the eccentric rotor 3 being rotatably supported by a plurality of suitable bearings 16 mounted on

exterior surfaces

17 and 18 of the bosses l4 and 15 respectively.

The cylinder block 2 is also rotatably supported on the housing 6 and in the illustrated structure, the bosses l4 and 15 have axially aligned generally

cylindrical recesses

19 and 20 respectively with portions of the cylinder block 2 extending into the

recesses

19 and 20 and being rotatably supported therein by a plurality of suitable bearings 21.

The axis of the

recesses

19 and 20 is spaced from and parallel with the axis of the

bosses

14 and 15 with the spacing being equal to one-half the stroke of the pistons 4 whereby the axis of rotation of the cylinder block 2 and the axis of rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 are parallel and spaced apart a distance equal to one-half the stroke of the pistons 4.

The eccentric rotor 3 is illustrated as a pair of spaced

annular plates

22 and 23 suitably connected together to rotate as a single member, as by a plurality of bolts 24 extending through the

plates

22 and 23 and a respective one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced spacers 25, between facing surfaces of the

plates

22 and 23. The bolts 24 are illustrated as threaded shafts having nuts 26 to move the

plates

22 and 23 into clamping engagement with opposite ends of the spacers 25 v The

plates

22 and 23 of the eccentric rotor each have a peripheral edge portion 27 extending radially outwardly relative. to the cylinder block 2 with the spacers 25 extending between the peripheral edge portions 27 whereby the spacers 25 clear the cylinder block 2 during rotation of the block 2.

The cylinder block 2 is centered between the

annular plates

22 and 23 and the bores are uniformly circumferentially spaced and radially extending. The bores 5 each have a closed end adjacent the axis of rotation of the block 2 and open radially outwardly therefrom. There may be any number of uniformly spaced bores 5 in the block 2 to provide a block which is symmetrical about its axis of rotation thereby substantially reducing or eliminating vibration during rotation thereof. The bores 5 and pistons 4 therein are illustrated as an even number arranged in uniformly spaced opposed pairs.

Bosses or

projections

28 and 29 extend outwardly from opposite faces respectively of the cylinder block 2 and each boss or projection is coaxial with the block 2 and has an annular recess therein centered on the axis of rotation of the cylinder block 2. The bosses or

projections

28 and 29 provide means for mounting annular cover plates 30 and 31 respectively, thereby defining an intake fluid receiving chamber 32 and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 on opposite sides of the cylinderblock 2.

Each bore 5 has an intake port 34 and an exhaust port 35 communicating the bore 5 with the intake chamber 32 and exhaust chamber 33 respectively. The

ports

34 and 35 are positioned on opposite sides of the block 2 and are preferably aligned to maintain a symmetrical arrangement of the cylinder block 2 and a smooth flow of fluid into and out of the bores 5.

A flow conduit and support shaft 36 is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the cylinder block 2 and extends through a fluid receiving compartment 37, as later described, and through the cover plate 30 and into the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 for conveying fluid under pressure from the fluid receiving compartment 37 to the intake fluid receiving chamber 32. In the illustrated structure, the flow conduit and support shaft 36 has a tubular portion having a plurality of ports 38 in the form of circumferentially spaced apertures, positioned in that portion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 within the fluid receiving compartment 37 for flow of fluid under pressure from a supply conduit 39 A into the tubular portion of the flow conduit 36. A plurality of ports 40 in the form of circumferentially spaced apertures are positioned in that portion of the tubular portion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 within the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 thereby providing means for directing fluid under pressure into the intake fluid receiving chamber 32.

An intake valve member 41 is mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and positioned within the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 to control flow of the fluid under pressure into the bores 5. The intake valve member 41 is operative to sequentially communicate fluid under pressure from the chamber 32 with each intake port 34 of the block 2 for effecting coordinated sequential movement of the pistons 4 and rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and block 2, as later described. The intake valve member 41 is illustrated as an annular disc fixedly mounted on the flow conduit and'support shaft 36 and the intake valve member is positioned in covering relation with the intake ports 34 of the bores 5. The intake valve member 41 has at least one port 42 communicating with a flow passage 43, in the form of an arcuate channel, in the face of the intake valve member 41 adjacent the intake ports 34 of the bores 5.

The intake valve member 41 'is stationary and the block 2 rotates during operation of the engine 1, therefore, each intake port 34 of the block 2 has a bearing member 44 mounted therein and each bearing member 44 has a flange portion in engagement with the intake valve member 41 for holding same in spaced relation with the block 2 and the intake ports 34. Each of the bearing members 44 has a bore 46 therethrough communicating with the respective intake'port 34 and with the flow passage 43 of the intake valve member 41.

It is desirable to maintain firm engagement between the flange portion 45 of the bearing members 44 and the adjacent face of the intake valve member 41 to prevent bleeding of fluid therebetween and flow into the intake ports 34 except through the intake valve member 41, therefore, each of the bearing members 44 has a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 44 toward the intake valve member 41 than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 44 away from the intake valve member 41 including an exterior surface area exposed to fluid pressure within the intake fluid chamber 32 and an end of a body portion having a surface area exposed to fluid pressure within the bore 46 therethrough. In the illustrated structure, a counterbore 47 is formed in the flangeportion 45 of the bearing members 44 and has a diameter slightly greater than the exterior diameter of the end of the body portion of the bearing member whereby the surface area of the flange portion 45 in engagement with the intake valve member 41 is less than the surface area of the flange portion 45 within the intake fluid chamber 32 to thereby prevent separation in the event of seepage between the flange portion 45 and intake valve member 41. Such seepage provides lubrication between said surfaces.

An exhaust valve member 48 is mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and is positioned in covering relation. with the exhaust ports 35 and the exhaust valve member 48 has a flow passage 49 in the form of an arcuate channel in a face adjacent the exhaust ports 35. At least one port 50 in the exhaust valve member 48 communicates the flow passage 49 with the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33.

The exhaust valve member 48 is illustrated as an annular disc mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and the exhaust valve member 48 is stationary during rotation of the block 2, therefore, each exhaust port 35 of the block 2 has a bearing member 51 mounted therein. The bearing members 45 each have a flange portion 52 in engagement with the adjacent face of the exhaust valve member 48 for holding same in spaced relation with the block 2. Each of the bearings members 51 has a bore 53 therethrough for communicating the respective exhaust port 35 with the flow passage 49 and the port 50 of the exhaust valve member 48 whereby fluid under pressure may flow from the bores 5 into the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 upon movement of the pistons 4 within the block 2.

It is also desirable to maintain the flange portion 52 of the bearing members 51 in firm engagement with the adjacent face of the exhaust valve member 48 to prevent bleeding of fluid therebetween the flow into the exhaust ports from the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33, therefore, each of the bearing members 51 has a bearing surface with a vented flow passage 54 in the form of a recess therein and a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 51 toward the exhaust valve member 48 than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging the respective bearing member 51 away from the exhaust valve member 48 including an exterior surface area exposed to fluid pressure within the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 and an end of a body portion having a surface area exposed to fluid pressure within the bore 53 therethrough whereby the bearing members 51 are maintained in engagement and firm contact with the exhaust valve member 48.

In the illustrated structure, the end of the body portion and the exterior surface of the flange portion 52 of the bearing members 51 are generally parallel with the exhaust valve member 48 whereby the fluid pressure urges the respective bearing member toward the exhaust valve member 48. The flow passage 54 has one wall spaced closer to the interior surface of the bore 53 than the exterior diameter of the end of the body portion of the bearing member 51 whereby if fluid pressure bleeds from the bore 53 and between the flange portion 52 and the valve member 48, the pressure is less than the pressure on the end of the body portion of the bearing member 51. The flow passage 54 is suitably vented as by communicating with the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 and the flow passage 54 also has an other wall thereof closer to the periphery of the flange portion 52 than an exterior surface of the body portion conduit and support shaft 36. Bearings 56 are positioned at an end portion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and engage the cover plate 31 at the exhaust side of the rotary block 2 thereby rotatably supporting the cover plate 31.

The cover plate 30 on the intake side of the block 2 has an annular ring 57 formed by a rib extending therefrom and the annular ring 57 surrounds and is coaxial with the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and is centered within the recess or bore 19 within the boss 14. In the illustrated structure, the bearings 21 are positioned between and in engagement with an exterior surface of the annular ring 57 and an interior surface of the recess or bore 19 thereby providing means on the housing or support 6 for rotatably mounting the intake side of the rotary block 2.

It is desirable that the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 be substantially fluid tight, therefore, a cap member 58 is suitably mounted on the end of the annular ring 57, as by a plurality of circumferentially spaced screws or bolts 59. Suitable annular seal members engage the cap member 58 and the interior surface of the annular ring 57 and suitable annular seal members 60 engage the cap member 58 and the exterior surface of the flow conduit and support shaft 36. The seal members 60 are maintained in engagement with the cap member 58 by having a smaller surface area in engagement therewith than surface area exposed to fluid pressure in the intake fluid receiving chamber 32 and any fluid press'ure bleeding between the seal members 60 and the cap member 58 is suitably vented to a low pressure area, such as through the cap member 58 and into the chamber 13.

The cover plate 31 on the exhaust side of the block 2 is integral with or suitably connected to the cylinder block 2 and to one end of a driven shaft 61 extending through the wall 8 of the support or housing 6 and the driven shaft 61 is coaxial with the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and is centered within the recess or bore 20 of the boss 15 and has an annular shoulder 62 formed by a cylindrical poi-tion extending from the cover plate 31. The bearings 21 engage an exterior surface of the annular shoulder 62 and an interior surface of the recess or bore 20 in the boss 15 thereby providing means on the support or housing 6 for rotatably mounting the cover plate 31 thereby rotatably mounting the block 2 for rotation about an axis spaced from and parallel with an axis of rotation of the piston support member 3.

Fluid under pressure flowing into the intake port 34 of one bore 5 within the block 2 effects movement of the piston 4 therein and rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and thereby associated rotation of the rotary block 2. Each of the pistons 4 is rotatably mounted on a pin 63 extending through one end of a connecting rod 64 having the other end thereof rotatably mounted on a respective spacer 25 which extends between and is suitably connected to the peripheral edge portion 27 of the

annular plates

22 and 23 defining the eccentric rotor 3 thereby providing means connecting the pistons 4 to the eccentric rotor 3 for permitting relative movement between .the pistons 4 and the cylinder block 2.

Proper relative positions of the cylinder block 2 and eccentric rotor 3 during rotation thereof and reciprocating movement of the pistons 4 within the respective bores are effected and maintained by a plurality of circumferentially spaced abutments or shafts 65 fixedly mounted on a peripheral edge of the cylinder block 2 and extending parallel with the axis of rotation of the block 2 and the shafts 65 each have the opposite ends thereof received within a respective cam aperture 66 defining a cam surface in the

annular plate

22 and 23 respectively of the eccentric rotor 3 whereby rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and engagement of the abutments or shafts 65 with the cam surfaces on the eccentric rotor 3 effects rotation of the block 2 and the driven shaft 61. The engagement of the shafts 63 with the surfaces defining the cam apertures 66 is operative to maintain a timed relation between rotation of the block 2 and the eccentric rotor 3 and movement of the pistons 4 within the bores 5 of the block 2.

The cam apertures 66 are circular and the movement of the pistons 4 is in a circular orbit during rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and the block 2 and the relative movement of the pistons 4 within the block 2 lineally reciprocating during rotation of the block 2.

it is extremely desirable to provide a substantially vibration free rotary engine which is characterized by the absence of the necessity forcounterweights, therefore, the bores 5 and the pistons 4 therein are arranged in uniformly spaced opposed pairs and the

annular plates

22 and 23 of the eccentric rotor 3 are substantially identical members which are symmetrical about the axis of rotation thereof and are spaced apart to have the block 2 centered therebetween. The cylinder block 2 and the cover plates 30 and 31 mounted thereon are substantially symmetrical about the axis of rotation thereof.

The effect reversing of the direction of rotation of the driven shaft 61, the flow conduit and support shaft 36 is rotatably mounted within the support or housing 6 and is positioned on the axis of rotation of the cylinder block 2 and extends exteriorly of the support or housing 6 and has a handle 67 mounted thereon. The intake valve member 41 and the exhaust valve member 48 are mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 for movement therein whereby adjustment of the position of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 by movement of the handle 67 through an arc in the nature of 1 10 is effective to reverse the direction of rotation of the driven shaft 61. The amount of angular movement through which the handle 67 is turned to reverse the rotation of the shaft 61 is equal to the length of the flow passage 43 plus the diameter of one intake port 34.

In the illustrated structure, the intake valve member 41 is fixedly mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 and the exhaust valve member 48 is rotatably mounted on the flow conduit and support shaft 36 by a lost motion connection whereby the exhaust valve member 48 is adjustable. In the illustrated lost motion connection, the exhaust valve member 48 has a recess 68 in one face thereof adjacent the flow conduit and support shaft 36. The recess 68 is partially defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from the axis of duit and support shaft 36 is moved by the handle 67 whereby the exhaust valve member 48 is moved with the flow conduit and support shaft 36 during adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a proper position for exhaust of fluid into the exhaust fluid receiving chamber 33 on the return stroke of the respective pistons 4.

Fluid flows from the exhaust chamber 33 through a plurality of exhaust ports in the cover plate 31. It is desirable that the cylinder block 2 and the cover plates 30 and 31 mounted thereon be substantially vibration free during rotation thereof, therefore, the exhaust ports 20 are preferably arranged in at least one diametrically opposed pair I to maintain the symmetrical balance of the cover plate 31 during rotation thereof.

In the illustrated structure, fluid under pressure flows through the fluid supply conduit 39 and into the fluid receiving compartment 37 which is formed on one side of the housing 6, for example on an exterior surface of the wall 7. Fluid within the fluid receiving compart ment 37 flows through the ports 38 and into the flow conduit 36 and outwardly through the ports 40 into the intake fluid receiving chamber 32. Fluid within the intake chamber 32 is sequentially communicated into the bores 5 of the cylinder block 2 to effect coordinated sequential movement of the pistons 4 and rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and cylinder block 2 in response to power strokes of the pistons 4. Return strokes of the pistons 4 move fluid into the exhaust chamber 33 and into the chamber 13 within the housing 6 from the exhaust ports 70 and the fluid is received within a flow conduit 71 communicating with the chamber 13 of the housing or support 6 for receiving exhaust fluid therein.

in operation of a rotary engine constructed as illustrated and described, fluid under pressure flows through the supply conduit 39 and into the fluid receiv ing compartment 37 and into the tubular portion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 through the ports 38. The fluid flows then from the tubular portion of the flow conduit and support shaft 36 through the ports 40 and into the fluid receiving chamber 32. The fluid flows through the port 42 of the intake valve member 41 and into the flow passages 43 thereof which directs the fluid under pressure into one bore 5 of the block 2 having the piston 4 therein positioned for the start of a power stroke thereby forcing said piston outwardly through the bore 5 and efiecting rotation of the eccentric rotor 3 and then rotation of the block 2. The abutments or shafts 65 on the periphery of the block'2 are received within the cam apertures 66 and engage the respective cam surface thereof to effect and maintain a proper relative position of the eccentric rotor 3 and the cylinder block 2 during rotation of the block 2 and the eccentric rotor 3 and movement of the pistons within the block 2. The fluid flows through the exhaust port 35 of the bore 5 having the piston 4 therein at the end of a return stroke and the fluid then flows through the exhaust valve member '48 into the exhaust chamber 33 and through the ports 70 into the chamber 13 within the housing 6 and into the flow conduit 7 l for return to the supply conduit 39 after suitable processing as in a condenser and then a boiler whereby the rotary engine 1 is particularly useful in a closed fluid system for steam, gas, liquids and the like.

When it is desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the driven shaft 61, the flow conduit and support shaft 36 is rotated through an arc in the nature of 100 to 110 by moving the handle 67 to move the flow passage 43 of the intake valve member 41 through the same are. Movement of the flow passage 43 changes the positions at which the fluid under pressure is communicated to the bores thereby slowing the rotation of the block 2 and rotor 3 by introducing the fluid into the bores 5 during the return stroke of the pistons 4. After the rotation of the intake valve member 41 has stopped the engine 1, the fluid flows into a bore 5 having the piston therein at the end of a return stroke and positioned for the start of a power stroke thereby starting the block 2 and the driven shaft 61 rotating in the opposite direction.

it is to be understood that while 1 have illustrated and described one form of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rotary engine comprising:

a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein;

b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores being closed at ends adjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom;

c. a piston reciprocable in each bore;

d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said axis spacing corresponding to one-half of the piston stroke, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block;

e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor, the pivotal connections of said rods to said eccentric rotor being uniformly circumferentially spaced around said rotor;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. a plurality of abutments circumferentially spaced around said cylinder block and fixed relative thereto;

h. a cam surface on said eccentric rotor for each abutment on said block, said cam surfaces being engaged by respective abutments whereby rotation of said eccentric rotor effects associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft;

i. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke, said valve controlled flow passages and ports including an intake fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an intake flow means for communicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber, said intake flow means including a flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block, said intake flow conduit being coaxial with the axis of rotation of said cylinder block and a portion thereof extending exteriorly of said engine housing and having a handle mounted thereon and an intake port and an exhaust port for each bore of said block and an intake valve member within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receiving chamber with said intake ports, said intake valve member being mounted on said intake flow conduit for rotary movement therewith whereby a reverse direction of rotation of said driven shaft may be effected by rotary adjustment of said intake flow conduit and the valve member thereon and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an exhaust valve member mounted on said intake flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, said exhaust valve member having an aperture positioned for said intake flow conduit to extend therethrough to rotatably support said exhaust valve member thereon, said exhaust valve member having a recess in one face thereof and extending radially from the aperture therethrough, said recess being defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from the axis of rotation of said cylinder block, and exhaust flow means communicating with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber for receiving exhaust fluid therefrom; and

j. a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

- d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotor for effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor; and

h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke and comprising an intake flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block and having a portion extending exteriorly of said housing, said intake flow conduit having means for communicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber and an intake valve member fixedly mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receiving chamber with said intake ports and an exhaust valve member rotatably mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, said rotatable mounting of said exhaust valve member being by a lost motion connection comprising a recess in one face of said exhaust valve member anddefined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis of rotation of said exhaust valve member and a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

3. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. each intake port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearing member mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagement with said intake valve member for holding same in spaced relation with said intake ports;

b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough for communicating said respective intake port with the flow passage of said intake valve member; and

c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member toward said intake valve member than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member away from said intake valve member whereby said flange portions of said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with said intake valve member.

4. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective intake ports has a counterbore therein; and

b. said counterbore has a diameter greater than an exterior diameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member.

5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. each exhaust port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearing member mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member for holding same in spaced relation with said exhaust ports;

b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough for communicating said respective exhaust port with the flow passage of said exhaust valve member; and

c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member toward said exhaust valve member than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member away from said exhaust valve member whereby said flange portions of said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member.

6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective exhaust ports has a vented flow passage in the surface thereof in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member;

b. said flow passage is defined by circumferentially spaced walls;

c. said flow passage has one wall defining same positioned closer to an interior surface of the bore through said bearing member than an exterior diameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member; and p d. said flow passage has an other wall defining same closer to the periphery of said flange portion than an exterior surface of the tubular portion of the bearing member. I

7. A rotary engine comprising:

a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein;

c. a piston reciprocable in each bore;

d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block;

e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor;

f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block;

g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotor for effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor;

h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for inadjustable valve means within said cylinder block and associated with said valve controlled flow passages and ports for effecting proper flow of exhaust fluid through said flow passages and ports, said adjustable valve means including:

l. an intake valve member fixedly mounted on said intake flow conduit and positioned within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intake ports and having a port and a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receiving chamber with said intake ports;

2. an exhaust valve member rotatably mounted on said intake flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports and having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons;

3. a recess in one face of said exhaust valve member and defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis of rotation of said exhaust valve member; and said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

4. a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

Claims

1. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein; b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores being closed at ends adjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom; c. a piston reciprocable in each bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said axis spacing corresponding to onehalf of the piston stroke, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor, the pivotal connections of said rods to said eccentric rotor being uniformly circumferentially spaced around said rotor; f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block; g. a plurality of abutments circumferentially spaced around said cylinder block and fixed relative thereto; h. a cam surface on said eccentric rotor for each abutment on said block, said cam surfaces being engaged by respective abutments whereby rotation of said eccentric rotor effects associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft; i. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke, said valve controlled flow passages and ports including an intake fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an intake flow means for communicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber, said intake flow means including a flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block, said intake flow conduit being coaxial with the axis of rotation of said cylinder block and a portion thereof extending exteriorly of said engine housing and having a handle mounted thereon and an intake port and an exhaust port for each bore of said block and an intake valve member within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receiving chamber with said intake ports, said intake valve member being mounted on said intake flow conduit for rotary movement therewith whereby a reverse direction of rotation of said driven shaft may be effected by rotary adjustment of said intake flow conduit and the valve member thereon and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an exhaust valve member mounted on said intake flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage and a port for communicating fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, said exhaust valve member having an aperture positioned for said intake flow conduit to extend therethrough to rotatably support said exhaust valve member thereon, said exhaust valve member having a recess in one face thereof and extending radially from the aperture therethrough, said recess being defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from the axis of rotation of said cylinder block, and exhaust flow means communicating with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber for receiving exhaust fluid therefrom; and j. a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

2. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores each being closed at ends adjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom and having an intake port and an exhaust port, said cylinder block having an intake fluid receiving chamber and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber therein; c. a piston reciprocable in each bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said rotor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor, the pivotal connections of said rods to said eccentric rotor being uniformly circumferentially spaced around said rotor; f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block; g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotor for effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor; and h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke and comprising an intake flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block and having a portion extending exteriorly of said housing, said intake flow conduit having means for communicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber and an intake valve member fixedly mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within said intake fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said intake ports, said intake valve member having a port and a flow passage for sequentially communicating fluid from said intake fluid receiving chamber with said intake ports and an exhaust valve member rotatably mounted on said flow conduit and positioned within said exhaust fluid receiving chamber and positioned in covering relation with said exhaust ports, said exhaust valve member having a flow passage and a port for communicaTing fluid from said bores with said exhaust fluid receiving chamber in response to the return stroke of said pistons, said rotatable mounting of said exhaust valve member being by a lost motion connection comprising a recess in one face of said exhaust valve member and defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis of rotation of said exhaust valve member and a lug extending radially from said intake flow conduit and positioned within said recess in said exhaust valve member and positioned to engage and be engageable by said radially extending walls of said recess whereby said exhaust valve member is moved with said intake flow conduit during rotary adjustment thereof and is then free to move to a position for proper flow of exhaust fluid therethrough.

3. a recess in one face of said exhaust valve member and defined by a pair of spaced walls extending radially from an axis of rotation of said exhaust valve member; and

3. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. each intake port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearing member mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagement with said intake valve member for holding same in spaced relation with said intake ports; b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough for communicating said respective intake port with the flow passage of said intake valve member; and c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member toward said intake valve member than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member away from said intake valve member whereby said flange portions of said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with said intake valve member.

4. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 3 wherein: a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective intake ports has a counterbore therein; and b. said counterbore has a diameter greater than an exterior diameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member.

5. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. each exhaust port of said block has a tubular portion of a bearing member mounted therein and having a flange portion in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member for holding same in spaced relation with said exhaust ports; b. each of said bearing members has a bore therethrough for communicating said respective exhaust port with the flow passage of said exhaust valve member; and c. each of said bearing members is shaped to have a greater surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member toward said exhaust valve member than surface area exposed to fluid pressure urging said flange portion of said respective bearing member away from said exhaust valve member whereby said flange portions of said bearing members are maintained in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member.

6. A rotary engine as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said flange portion of each bearing member in said respective exhaust ports has a vented flow passage in the surface thereof in sliding engagement with said exhaust valve member; b. said flow passage is defined by circumferentially spaced walls; c. said flow passage has one wall defining same positioned closer to an interior surface of the bore through said bearing member than an exterior diameter of the tubular portion of the bearing member; and d. said flow passage has an other wall defining same closer to the periphery of said flange portion than an exterior surface of the tubular portion of the bearing member.

7. A rotary engine comprising: a. an engine housing having walls defining a chamber therein; b. a cylinder block in the housing chamber and rotatable on an axis, said cylinder block having a plurality of bores circumferentially spaced therein, said bores being closed at ends adjacent said axis and opening outwardly therefrom; c. a piston reciprocable in each bore; d. an eccentric rotor in said housing chamber, said roTor being rotatable on an axis spaced from and parallel with the axis of said cylinder block, said rotor having a portion extending radially outwardly relative to said cylinder block; e. a connecting rod for each piston, each connecting rod having one end pivotally connected to the respective piston and the other end pivotally connected to the outwardly extending portion of said eccentric rotor; f. a driven shaft connected to said cylinder block; g. means on said cylinder block and engageable with said eccentric rotor for effecting associated rotation of said cylinder block and driven shaft in response to rotation of said eccentric rotor; h. valve controlled flow passages and ports for introducing fluid under pressure to the cylinder bores for sequentially effecting a power stroke of each piston and exhaust on the respective return stroke, said valve controlled flow passages and ports including an intake port and an exhaust port for each bore in said cylinder block and an intake fluid receiving chamber and an exhaust fluid receiving chamber within said cylinder block and an intake flow conduit rotatably mounted within said cylinder block for communicating a source of fluid under pressure with said intake fluid receiving chamber; and i. adjustable valve means within said cylinder block and associated with said valve controlled flow passages and ports for effecting proper flow of exhaust fluid through said flow passages and ports, said adjustable valve means including: