WO2011034451A2

WO2011034451A2 - A mult i -cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree

Info

Publication number: WO2011034451A2
Application number: PCT/PL2010/000089
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dariusz WÓJTOWICZ
Original assignee: Wojtowicz Dariusz
Priority date: 2009-09-18
Filing date: 2010-09-17
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: PL216801B1; WO2011034451A3; PL389076A1

Abstract

A multi-cylinder engine, with three cylinders or a multiple of three cylinders, particularly pneumatic or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree, with perpendicular pistons, having one crankshaft (10) and the simple compound shaft (14,15, 16), where the main pistons (1) are connected with the crankshaft by means of pins and connecting rods, while the support pistons (2) are connected with the main pistons (1) and elements of the simple compound shaft in the following manner: - the support piston of the cylinder I is connected with the main piston of the cylinder III - the support piston of the cylinder II is connected with the main piston of the cylinder I - the support piston of the cylinder III is connected with the main piston of the cylinder II etc. when we have a multiple number of cylinders in one line, the cylinders are closed by the head (8) having valves and ignition or injection elements.

Description

A multi-cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree.

The object of the invention is a two-piston multi- cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree, with pistons working in pairs, perpendicularly and in opposition, in each of the toroidal cylinders.

There are solutions, where the pistons work in pairs, and in opposition in a toroidal cylinder with a common combustion chamber, and each of the pistons is connected to a separate crankshaft, i.e. systems with two crankshafts. In the engines of such structure there is no close relationship between the number of cylinders and the method of their work. Polish patent specification No. 170127 describes an engine having a rotary piston situated in a cylindrical tube, containing two coaxially mounted rotating baffles, the first with the upper and lower arms and the second with the upper and lower arms, coupled to each other by two identical harmonic drives, the front and the rear ones, each of which has two identical tooth-shaped elements. The input tooth-shaped element of the rear harmonic drive is connected rigidly to the first rotation baffle of the piston, and the tooth-shaped element of the same drive is rigidly mounted on the rotating output shaft, on which the tooth-shaped output element of the front harmonic drive is also rigidly mounted, collaborating with the tooth-shaped input element of the drive, coupled rigidly with the second rotation baffle of the piston. The axes of symmetry of the tooth-shaped output elements mounted on the rotating output shaft are shifted relative to each other by 90°, and the shoulders with seals of the rotation baffles of the piston, together with the cylinder wall and the front and back covers, form four working chambers with variable volume.

Polish patent specification No. 175572 describes a rotary internal combustion engine having a drum-shaped combustion chamber with the first and second hub units and a bucket device situated in this chamber and freely rotational on the drive shaft. Each of these hub and bucket units has the first and the second baffle, which are mounted diametrically opposite to each other with the hub between them. Each of the toothed gears contains the first element of the ratchet mechanism for rotary connection of one of the hubs with the drive shaft in the first direction of rotation, and for disconnection of one of the hubs from the drive shaft in the other direction of rotation, and the second element of the ratchet mechanism with an element providing reduction.

Polish patent specification No. 190094 describes a rotary internal combustion engine containing a number of engine cylinders, which are arranged in a series of rings around a joint central shaft. In each cylinder there is a pair of . pistons moving toward each other and from each other, and a joint, intermediate working chamber for each pair of pistons. Each piston is equipped with its own piston rod with an appropriate roller bearing, forming a base on its respective "sinus" cam guiding device, controlling the motion of the piston against the corresponding cylinder. At least one of the two pistons in each cylinder can be adjusted in a manner adjustable in the cylinder, especially to regulate the degree of compression in the oint working chamber. Polish patent specification No. 190067 describes a two-stroke internal combustion engine, with multiple cylinders arranged in ring ranks around the common drive shaft, located in the center, with axes running parallel to the shaft. In each of the cylinders there is a pair of pistons moving toward each other and from each other, working in a joint intermediate working chamber. Each piston creates, through the piston rod with an appropriate roller bearing, a support and a driver by way of the "sinus" plane in the cam guiding device. Two pistons in each cylinder remain in different phases, and are controlled by differing cam guiding devices, designed with the corresponding differentiated "sinus" planes ("sinus" curves) .

Polish patent specification No. 199751 describes a vane internal combustion engine having an ellipsoid cylinder and an impeller wheel rotating in it, with displacing blades, where blades are led on the elliptical walls of the cylinder by way of crankshaft systems consisting of arms rotationally mounted on a cranked shaft, placed in the axis of the rotor and rotating in the opposite direction than the rotor, but at the same rate of rotation as the rotor, or on crankshafts allocated for each blade, bearings-mounted in the side walls of the rotor, and rotating with a speed twice of the rotor.

The purpose of the invention is to develop a two- piston multi-cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable or constant compression degree, permitting application of only one crankshaft, while keeping the operation of the engine as with two crank shafts, improving overall vehicle efficiency, improved engine power to weight ratio.

This purpose has been achieved by development of a multi-cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree, containing three cylinders or a multiple of such number of cylinders, with perpendicular pistons working in pairs, and in opposition, in toroidal sections of cylinders having a variable volume chamber common for the two pistons, one crankshaft and one simple shaft, or chain transmissions, where the main pistons and the support pistons are mounted on rings, the main pistons are connected to the crankshaft via connecting rods and piston pins, according to the invention is characterized by that the support pistons are connected to the main pistons in the three adjacent cylinders shaft by means of a simple compound shaft consisting of three components, a roller and two sleeves, or with sprocket chains, so that the support piston working in the first cylinder is connected to the main piston working in the third cylinder, the support piston working in the second cylinder is connected to the main piston working in the first cylinder, the support piston working in the third cylinder is connected to the main piston working in the second cylinder. The distance between the axis of the crankshaft and the axis of the simple compound shaft is close to the total length of the connecting rod and the distance of the piston pin from the axis of the simple compound shaft.

In another version of the invention, three cylinders or their multiple are built in a single row, they work with a constant compression degree, where the ring, on which the support piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, is connected, through the roller of the simple compound shaft mounted movably in the engine's casing with the ring, on which the main piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the second cylinder is mounted, is connected through the second sleeve of the simple compound shaft with the .ring, on which the main piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, is connected through the first sleeve of the simple compound shaft mounted movably on the roller of the simple compound shaft with the ring, on which the main piston working in the second cylinder is mounted. The connections are made in the axis of mounting the rings, on which the main pistons and support pistons are mounted.

In another version of the invention, three cylinders or their multiple are built in a-single row, they work with a variable compression degree, where the connections of the support pistons with the main pistons of the three cylinders are by means of a roller and two sleeves of the simple compound shaft having gear wheels with the rings having gear wheels, on which the main pistons and support pistons are mounted, and the simple compound shaft is suspended movably on supports outside the axis of mounting the rings, so that the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the support piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, is connected with the gear wheel of the roller of the simple compound shaft, mounted movably on the supports, which are mounted in the axis of mounting of the main pistons and support pistons, the roller of the simple compound shaft is connected through the gear wheel with the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the main piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the support piston working in the second cylinder is mounted, is connected with the gear wheel of the second sleeve of the simple compound shaft movably on the roller of the simple compound shaft, the second sleeve of the simple compound shaft is connected through the gear wheel with the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the main piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the support piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, is connected with the gear wheel of the first sleeve of the simple compound shaft mounted movably on the roller of the simple compound shaft, and the sleeve is connected through the gear wheel to the ring having a section of the gear wheel, on which the main piston working in the second cylinder is mounted. The simple compound shaft has the angle of rotation dependant on the requested instantaneous value of compression degree. The simple compound shaft is connected with a servo element for change of the compression degree.

In another version of the invention, three cylinders or their multiple are built in a radial arrangement around the crankshaft, where the connection of the support pistons with the main pistons of the three cylinders are by means of rings with gear wheels, on which the main pistons and support pistons are mounted, and by means of sprocket chains of chain transmissions, so that the ring, on which the support piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain of chain transmissions to the ring, on which the main piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the second cyl-inder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain of chain transmissions to the ring, on which the main piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain of chain transmissions to the ring, on which the main piston working in the second cylinder is mounted. A system for stretching and adjustment is mounted on the sprocket chains of chain transmissions.

In another version of the invention, three cylinders or their multiple are built in a radial arrangement around the crankshaft, where the connection of the support pistons with the main pistons of the three cylinders are by means of rings with gear wheels and sprocket chains . of chain . transmissions collaborating with wheels mounted eccentrically on the sprocket wheels of the system for stretching and adjustment, collaborating with the sprocket chains, driven by the gear wheel of the compression ratio adjustment, so that the ring, on which the support piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain of chain transmissions to the ring, on which the main piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the second cylinder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain to the ring, on which the main piston working in the first cylinder is mounted, the ring, on which the support piston working in the third cylinder is mounted, is connected with a sprocket chain of chain transmissions to the ring, on which the main piston working in the second cylinder is mounted.

The multi-cylinder engine, as per the invention has higher mechanical efficiency dues to elimination of the need to apply two crankshafts or a complex system of crankshafts and power-consuming connections between them. The engine has only three cranks of the shaft and three connecting rods for a single module of the engine, is characterized by lower friction due to guiding the piston on the roller, and not on the cylinder bearing surface, with which only piston packers are connected, retaining lubrication of all parts as in the classical engines. The multi-cylinder engine has smaller size and weight by about 25% compared to present engines of similar power. It has higher induced efficiency as a result of shifting the beginning of the power stroke by several dozen degrees of the crank angle below the TDC of the main piston and near the TDC of the support piston, which generates torque from the beginning of the power stroke at the highest pressures occurring in the cylinder, and as a result of possibility of relatively easy change of the compression ratio in the version with connections of the main and auxiliary pistons outside the axis of operation of the engine mounting rings.

The object of the invention has been presented in an example of execution on a drawing, where Fig. 1 presents a cross-section through the first cylinder of the engine in an in-line version with fixed working chamber of the engine, with one decompression degree, where pistons are connected by elements of the simple compound shaft in the axis of operation of the piston mounting rings, at the moment of commencement of the power stroke in the cylinder, adapted to feeding with compressed gases, Fig. 1A longitudinal section A-A on Fig. 1 in top view through the simple compound shaft of the engine in the version as on Fig. 1, Fig. 2 - cross-section through_., the first cylinder of the engine in an in-line version with variable working chamber of the engine, variable compression ratio, where pistons are connected by elements of the simple compound shaft outside the axis of operation of the piston mounting rings, at the moment of commencement of the power stroke in this cylinder at maximum compression level set, adapted to supply with conventional fuels, Fig. 2A - longitudinal section A-A on Fig. 2, in top view through the simple compound shaft and the axis of piston mounting, in the version as on Fig. 2, Fig. 3 - cross-section through the first cylinder at commencement of the power stroke in the version of the engine of fixed working chamber, with different lengths of radius of the toroidal cylinder and different sizes of the pistons, working with two expansion degrees, Fig. 3A - longitudinal section A-A of the engine on Fig. 3 through the axis of the simple compound shaft, Fig. 4 - cross-section through the first cylinders of the engine in the two-in-line version with fixed working chamber of the engine (constant compression ratio) , where the pistons are connected by elements of the simple compound shaft in the axis of operation of the piston mounting rings, and to each of the piston mounting rings there are mounted pairs of pistons working in different lines of cylinders, at the moment of commencement of the power stroke in the right cylinder and the suction stroke in the left cylinder rzedu, adapted to supply with conventional fuels, Fig. 4A - longitudinal section A-A on Fig. 4, in top view and through the simple compound shaft of the engine of the version as on Fig. 4, Fig. 5 - diagram of the engine in radial version with fixed working chamber of the engine (constant compression ratio) , Fig. 6 diagram of the engine in radial version, of variable compression ratio.

The multi-cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree according to the example of execution, contains three toroidal cylinders I , II, III , in pairs of pistons work perpendicularly, in pairs, contrariwise in toroidal sections of the cylinders I , II , III po dwa tloki, the main piston 1 and the support piston 2. The main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 are either unilateral with counterweight, as on Fig. 1, Fig. lA or without counterweight as per Fig. 2, Fig. 2A, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, or bilateral for the multi-line version of the engine presented on Fig. 3, Fig. 3A, Fig. 4, Fig. 4A. The main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 are mounted directly on the rings A, 9. or by means of the connector 3..

The multi-cylinder engine is closed with the head 8. The head 8. is equipped with valves and ignition or injection elements mounted on the surface of the arc with one dimension of the toroid radius or on the surface connecting two radii of the toroid in the version with different radii as on Fig. 3 i Fig. 3A. Each of the toroidal cylinders I, ΐ, III is a section of a toroid of angle about 140°. The main pistons 1 in accordance to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 are connected classically with the crankshaft 10 through the piston pin 1 and the connecting rod 5.. In each cylinder there is a compression chamber of variable capacity, common for the two pistons.

The multi-cylinder engine, in accordance with all versions of the invention, is characterized by the connection of the main pistons 1. with the support pistons 2 in the three adjacent cylinders I, II, III , either by means of the simple compound shaft made of elements: the roller 14, the sleeve 15 and the sleeve JL6 in the line arrangement of the cylinders, or by means of the sprocket chains 17. of the chain transmissions in the radial arrangement of the cylinders, in the following manner: the support piston 2 working in the cylinder I_ is connected with the main piston 1_, working in the cylinder III , the support piston 2 working in the cylinder II is connected with .the main piston 1 working in the cylinder 1, the support piston 2 working in the cylinder III is connected with the main piston 1 working in the cylinder II .

The connected pistons perform the same or similar perpendicular motions, are only shifted one from another by a certain angle, dependant on the manner of supply or the required degree of compression of the engine.

The main pistons 1 in the cylinders I, II, III are mounted on the rings 9. . The support pistons 2 are mounted on the rings 4_,.

The engine has one crankshaft 10 and one simple compound shaft 14,15.,i6, composed of three elements: the roller 14., the sleeve 15 and the sleeve 16. The three main pistons 1 in the cylinders I., II, III are mounted on the rings 9. and are connected with the crankshaft 10 by means of the connecting rods 5. and the piston pins. The three support pistons 2 are mounted on the rings 4 and are connected with the main pistons 1. in the three adjacent cylinders I, II, III by means of the elements of the simple compound shaft 14., 15_, 16. The distance between the axis of the crankshaft ljO and the axis of the simple compound shaft 14 , 15. , 16. is close to the total length of the connecting rod 5_j_ and the distance between the piston pin and the axis of the simple compound shaft 14, 15, 16.. The main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 are unilateral, with counterweights. The connection of the main pistons 1 with the support pistons 2 of three adjacent cylinders I, II, III as per the pneumatic line version of the engine presented on Fig. 1 , Fig. 1A with constant volume of the working chamber, at fixed distance between the bottoms of the main piston 1 i of the support piston 2 in each of the cylinders I, II, III is through the rings 4 and 9 and the elements of the simple compound shaft 14 , 15 , 16 in the axis of mounting these elements, which is common with the axis of the rings 4 and 9 of the mounting of the main pistons 1. and the support pistons 2 . The ring 4 on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder I is connected through the roller 14 mounted movably in the body of the engine with the ring 9. on which is mounted the main piston 1. working in the cylinder III , the ring 4 on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder II is connected through the sleeve JL 6. mounted movably on the roller 14. with the ring 9. on which is mounted jest the main piston _,1 working in the cylinder I., the ring 4. on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder III is connected through the sleeve 15 mounted movably on the roller 14 with the ring 9., on which is mounted the main piston 1 working in the cylinder II . The shift angle of the connected pistons is so chosen that the distance between the main piston 1 and the support piston 2 working in one cylinder is the lowest and contact-free work is assured in their closest position with each other. The engine is equipped with valves mounted in the head, with the exhaust valve having a system for change of the timing gear, controlling in such a way that the valve works as the inlet valve at engine braking, and the engine works as a compressor.

The connection of the main pistons 1 with the support pistons 2 of the three adjacent cylinders I, II , III in the line version of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with variable compression ratio, presented on Fig. 2, Fig. 2A, is by means of the roller 14 and the sleeves 15., 16. having gear wheels with the rings 4. and 9. having gear wheels, on which are mounted the main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2.

In another version of the engine, the ring 4. with a section of the gear wheel on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder I is connected by the gear wheel of the roller 14 mounted movably on the supports 11, which are mounted in the axis of mounting of the pistons: main 1 and support 2, the roller 14 is connected through the gear wheel with the ring 9 having a section of the gear wheel on which is mounted the main piston _1 working in the cylinder III . The ring 4 having a section of the gear wheel on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder II is connected by the gear wheel of the sleeve 16. mounted movably on the roller 14, the sleeve 16 is connected through the gear wheel with the ring 9_, having a section of the hear wheel on which is mounted the main piston 1 working in the cylinder I. The ring 4 having a section of the gear wheel on which is mounted the support piston 2. working in the cylinder III is connected by the gear wheel of the sleeve 15 mounted movably on the roller

14, the sleeve 15 is connected through the gear wheel with the ring 9 having a section of the gear wheel on which is mounted the main piston 1 working in the cylinder II .

The transmission of gear transmissions is made with acceleration of the motion of the support pistons 2 in relation to the motion of the main pistons 1 . The acceleration rate depends on the need for speedy change of the compression ratio as well as on the distance traveled by the support pistons 2 in the cylinder. The simple compound shaft 14, 15., 16. is connected perpendicularly with servo elements _,20, the change of whose lengths causes rolling of the gear wheels of the simple compound shaft 14,

15, 16, on the gear wheels of the rings 4 and 9^ on which the main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 are mounted. This motion changes then distance between the bottoms of the main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 in each cylinder. The main pistons 1 are connected in the known manner with the crankshaft .10 by means of the piston pin and the connecting rods 5..

The multi-cylinder engine, as per the version where the cylinders are. built in one line and work with constant capacity of the working chamber with various piston sizes, working with two decompression degrees, has been presented on Fig. 3 and Fig. 3A. Pursuant to this version, the one- line arrangement of the engine has been developed to a two- line arrangement with two decompression . degrees . Pursuant to this version, the rings 4 are connected with the rings 9., on which the main pistons 1, and the support pistons 2 are mounted by means of the connector 3. on the ring 4A, which is connected with the ring 4. The elements of the ring 4A connecting these rings pass through the space of the ring 9.. The axes of the cylinders of the first and the second line are shifted one in relation to the other.

The one-line arrangement of the mul i-cylinder engine developed to the two-line arrangement has been presented on Fig. 4, Fig. 4A. Pursuant to this version of the engine of fixed working chamber, of constant compression ratio, the pistons are connected by the elements of the simple compound shaft 14, 15, 16. in the axis of the work of the rings 4. and 9 of the mounting of the pistons: main 1. and support 2, and to each ring 4 and 9. are mounted pairs of pistons working in different lines of the cylinders. Multi-cylinder engines of this version are adapted to conventional fuels supply. The method of pistons connection remains identical as in the one-line arrangement.

The multi-cylinder engine, as per the pneumatic radial version presented on Fig. 5 has three points of suspension of the cylinders I, II, III around the crankshaft 10. in equal distances of 120°. The main pistons 1 and the support pistons 2 are unilateral. The rings 9. on which the main pistons 1_, are mounted, have gear wheels collaborating with the sprocket chain 17. of the chain transmissions. The rings 4 on which the support pistons 2 are mounted, also have gar wheels collaborating with the sprocket chain 17. of the chain transmissions.

Pursuant to this version of the engine, the ring 4. on which is mounted the support piston 2. working in the cylinder I is connected by the sprocket chain 17 of the chain transmissions with the ring .9 on which is mounted the main piston 1 working in the cylinder III . The ring .4 on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder II is connected by the sprocket chain 17 of the chain transmissions with the ring 9. on which is mounted the main piston working in the cylinder 1. The ring 4. on which is mounted the support piston 2 working in the cylinder III is connected by the sprocket chain 17 of the chain transmissions with the ring 9. on which is mounted the main piston _1 working in the cylinder II. On the sprocket chains 17 of the chain transmissions is mounted the system for stretching and adjustment 23.. The transmission of the chain transmissions may be made with acceleration of the motion of the support pistons 2 in relation to the speed of the motion of the main pistons 1.

The main pistons 1_ are connected typically with the crankshaft 10. through the piston pin and connecting rods 5..

The multi-cylinder engine of internal combustion, as per the radial version presented on Fig. 6, with variable compression ratio has three points of suspension of the cylinders I, II, III around the crankshaft 10 in equal distances of 120°. The rings 9. on which the main pistons 1. are mounted, have gear wheels collaborating with the sprocket chain 17. of the chain transmissions . The rings 4 on which the support pistons 2 are mounted, also have gear wheels collaborating with the sprocket chain 17. of the chain transmissions.

Pursuant to this version of the engine, the sprocket chains 17 of the chain transmissions collaborate with the wheels .18 mounted eccentrically on the sprocket wheels 23_, which collaborate with the sprocket chains 21 and 22, driven by the gear wheels of the compression ratio adjustment 19.

The change of the compression ratio is effected through selection of the chain play on the appropriate side of each transmission, through the wheels 18 stretching the chain, mounted eccentrically on the sprocket wheels 23_. The sprocket wheels 23. collaborate with the sprocket chains 21 and 22. controlled by the gear wheels adjusting the compression ratio 19. Turning the wheel of adjusting the compression ratio 19. eliminates the play of the sprocket chain 17 of the chain transmissions on one side of all transmissions, while on the other side of all transmissions the sprocket chain 17. is loosened.

The work of the three-cylinder engine in the pneumatic version is, as follows:

Two pistons, the main piston 1 and the support piston 2 , work in pairs, in one cylinder, perpendicularly and in opposition. These pistons, by moving towards and backwards each other, create chambers of variable capacity. When the main piston .1 in the cylinder is in the TDC, the support piston 2 approaches it as close as possible, reproducing, exactly or with advantageous transmission, the movement of the main piston 1. from the cylinder III . When the main piston 1 starts movement towards the BDC, the support piston 2 follows it in the same direction, along the section of movement in the cylinder, common for both pistons. At the moment the support piston 2 reaches the TDC, the inlet valve opens and the working gas reaches the cylinder, exerting pressure on the bottoms of the two pistons. The work stroke commences. The main piston 1 is at that moment distant by a certain angle from the TDC, and the crank of the crankshaft 10 is in the most convenient position to generate torque from that piston. The torque of this piston is generated from the beginning of the power stroke. The support piston 2 is in the TDC and remains there immovably for a longer time, by several HVAC degrees, which is due to the characteristics of this crank-piston system, and the torque is not generated from that piston at the time. After passing the TDC by the support piston 2 is commenced also the generation of the torque from this piston, and the cylinder's highest efficiency phase, where the torque is generated from the two pistons. When the main piston 1 reaches the BDC, it remains there for a longer time and the torque is generated from the support piston 2. At the moment when the main piston 1 passes the BDC and commences motion, the exhaust piston opens. The cycle is the same for all the three cylinders I, II, III repeats after each 120 HVAC degrees and ^"lasts for about 165 HVAC degrees, overlapping partially during the work of the two adjacent cylinders.

The operation of the three-cylinder internal combustion engine with variable compression rate in accordance with Fig. 2 is, as follows:

In the work cycle of internal combustion, the main piston 1 and the support piston 2 are distant from each other by a certain angle value depending on the compression ratio required at the moment, creating the compression chamber. It is the beginning of the suction stroke. The support piston 2 remains in the TDC a the main piston 1 moves towards the BDC. The inlet valve is open, the pistons recede one from the other. When the main piston 1 passes the BDC, the inlet valve closes, and the pistons start moving towards each other - the compression stroke commences and lasts until the moment of reaching the TDC by the main piston 1. Then the compression chamber with the load shifts by a certain angle value. The pistons move in one direction on the section of movement in the cylinder, common for both pistons. The compression stroke may be continued at that time, this depends on the ratio of the gear connecting the two pistons . Several degrees before the TDC of the support piston 2 the ignition and the beginning of the power stroke occur, since the main piston 1. is distant from TDC by a certain angle, and the crank of the crankshaft 10 is about 50° from the TDC of, the main piston 1. The torque of this piston is generated from the beginning of the power stroke of the main piston 1, then from the two pistons and after reaching the BDC by the main piston 1. only from the support piston 2. At the moment when the main piston 1 commences movement towards the TDC the exhaust piston opens and the movement of the pistons toward each other begins. The exhaust stroke lasts until reaching the TDC by the main piston 1. The whole power stroke of the engine covers 720 HVAC degrees, so the power stroke for the three-cylinder arrangement is repeated every , 240 degrees and lasts for about 165 HVAC degrees. The engine may work as a spark ignition engine and as a self-ignition engine, as well as a two-stroke engine with additional compressor for exchange of the loads in the cylinders.

The control of the compression ratio involves change of the angle between the surfaces of the pistons : main 1 and support 2 working in one cylinder, and thus the change of the volume of the compression chamber, with the movements of the main pistons 1, remaining the same, but the support pistons 2 making variable movements depending on the compression ratio. In the line arrangement, this is effected by rolling by a certain angle of the simple compound shaft 14 , 15_,, 16. circumferentially on the gear wheels of the rings 4. and 9. of mounting the pistons : main 1 and support 2. Since shifting the transmission increases the movement velocity and the length of the movement of the support piston 2, the piston moves in relation to the main piston 1 with which it is connected by a certain angle depending on the position of the simple compound shaft 14 , 15 , 16 and will work in this position until another shift of that shaft. The method of mounting of the simple compound shaft 14, 15_,, 16, and the forces affecting it permit infinitely variable decrease of the compression ratio in any position of the crankshaft 10. and increase of the compression ratio preferably at the moment, when no work is performed by any cylinder. The shift of the simple compound shaft 14., _,15, 16. occurs by means of servo elements 20 , which are mounted rotationally on one side to the body of the engine, and on the other side to the simple compound shaft 14, 15, ljj. In the radial arrangement of the cylinders I., II, III the change of the compression ratio is effected through increasing the play of the sprocket chain 17 on one side of the transmission and simultaneous decreasing the play on the other side of the transmission by the eccentric wheels 18 stretching the chain, collaborating with the control system. If the eccentric wheel 18 turns on the external side, causing occurrence of the play of the sprocket chain 17 then the eccentric stretcher on the internal side turns it by the same angle, eliminating the occurring play. In effect, the play remains the same, and the position of the support piston 2 changes.

Claims

1. A multi-cylinder engine, particularly for compressed gases, or an internal combustion engine with variable compression degree, containing three cylinders or a multiple of such number of cylinders, with perpendicular pistons working in pairs, and in opposition, in toroidal sections of cylinders having a variable volume chamber common for the two pistons, one crankshaft and one simple shaft, or chain transmissions, where the main pistons and the support pistons are mounted on rings, the main pistons are connected to the crankshaft via connecting rods and piston pins, characterized in that the support pistons 12/ are connected to the main pistons l J_ in the three adjacent cylinders /I/, /II/, /III/ by means of a simple compound shaft /14 / , /15 / , /16/, consisting of three components, the roller /14/, the sleeve /.15/ and the sleeve / 16/ , or with sprocket chains /17/ of the chain transmissions, so that the support piston 12/ working in the cylinder /I/ is connected with the main piston /l/ working in the cylinder /III/ , the support piston 12/ working in the cylinder /II/ is connected with the main piston /I/ working in the cylinder /I./, the support piston /2/ working in the cylinder /III/ is connected with the main piston I^'ll working in the cylinder /II/.

2. The multi-cylinder engine as per claim 1 characterized in that the distance between the axis of the crankshaft I10_l and the axis of the simple compound shaft l\A, 15 , .16/ is close to the total length of the connecting rod 15/ and the distance between the piston pin and the axis of the simple compound shaft /14 , .15, 16/ ..

3. The multi-cylinder engine as per claim 1 characterized in that the cylinders / I/,/ II/, / III/ are mounted in one line and work with the fixed combustion chamber, where the ring / 4/ , on which is mounted the support piston /2/ working in the cylinder JLI is connected through the roller /14/ mounted movably in the body of the engine with the ring / /, on which is mounted the main piston /I/ working in the cylinder /III/ , the ring /4/ , on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /II/ is connected through the sleeve / 16/ mounted movably on the roller 714/ with the ring /9/ , on which is mounted the main piston/1/ working in the cylinder /I , the ring /4_.Λ on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /III/ is connected through the sleeve /15/ mounted movably on the roller /14/ with the ring / /, on which is mounted the main piston /!/ working in the cylinder /II/, the connections are made in the axis of mounting the rings /4/ and /9/, on which are mounted the main pistons /l/ and the support pistons I2_l ·

4. The engine as per claim 3 characterized in that the support pistons 2 are mounted on the rings 4A, which are connected with the rings 4. performing an intermediate part, and the connecting elements of the ring 4A pass through the ring 9. .

5. The engine as per claim 1 characterized in that the cylinders /I/, /II/, /III/ or multiples thereof are mounted in one line, work with variable compression ratio, where the connections of the support pistons 12/ with the main pistons / 1/ of the cylinders /I/, /II/, /III/ are by means of the roller /14/ and the sleeves /.15/, /16/ of the simple compound shaft /14, 15, 16/ having gear wheels, with the rings /4/ and / 9/ having gear wheels, on which the main pistons /l/ and the support pistons 121 are mounted, and the simple compound shaft /14, 15 , 16/ is suspended movably on the supports 711./ outside the axis /12/ of mounting the rings /4/, /9_/ so that the ring / 4/ having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /J_ is connected with the gear wheel of the roller /14/ mounted movably on the ^•supports /ll/, which are mounted in the axis of^" mounting the main pistons /l/ and the support pistons /2 / , the roller /14/ is connected through the gear wheel with the ring /9/ having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the main piston /I/ working in the cylinder /III/ , the ring - /4 having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the support piston I2_ working in the cylinder /III/ , is connected with the gear wheel of the sleeve /JL6/ mounted movably on the roller /14/, the sleeve /16/ is connected through the gear wheel with the ring /9_ having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the main piston /l/ working in the cylinder /I , the ring Λ / having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /III/ is connected with the gear wheel of the sleeve /15/ mounted movably on the roller /14/, the sleeve / 15/ is connected through the gear wheel with the ring /9/ having a section of the gear wheel, on which is mounted the main piston working in the cylinder /II/.

6. The engine as per claim 5 characterized in that the simple compound shaft /14, 15, 16/ has the rotation angle dependant on the required instantaneous value of compression ratio.

7. The engine as per claim 5 characterized in that the simple compound shaft /14, _,15, 16/ is connected perpendicularly with the servo elements /20_/ for changing the compression ratio.

8. The engine as per claim 1 characterized in that the cylinders /I/, /II/, /III/ or multiples thereof are mounted radially around the crankshaft /10/, where the connection of the main pistons 121 with the support pistons /!/ of the cylinders 111 , /II/, /III/ is by means of rings /4/, 191 with gear wheels, on which the main pistons 111 and the support pistons are mounted 121 , and by means of sprocket chains /17/ of chain transmissions so that the ring /4./, on which is mounted the support piston 12/ working in the cylinder 111 is connected by a sprocket chain l\_l of chain transmissions with the ring I9_l , on which is mounted the main piston 111 working in the cylinder /III/ , the ring /4_/, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /II/ is connected by a sprocket chain /17. / of chain transmissions with the ring 191, on which is mounted the main piston 111 working in the cylinder 111, the ring /4_/, on which is mounted the support piston 12/ working in the cylinder /III/ connected by a sprocket chain /.17/ of chain transmissions with the ring I_l , on which is mounted the main piston 111 working in the cylinder /II/ .

9. The engine as per claim 8 characterized in that on the sprocket chains Ι1Ί_Ι of chain transmissions is mounted a system for stretching and adjustment 123/ .

10. The engine as per claim 1 characterized in that characterized in that the cylinders 111 , llll, /III/ or multiples thereof are mounted radially around the crankshaft / 10/ , where the connection of the support pistons 111 with the main pistons 12/ of the cylinders 111 , l ll , /III/ is by means of rings /4/, I9_l with gear wheels and sprocket chains IYT_I of chain transmissions collaborating with the wheels /18/ mounted eccentrically on the chain wheels of the system for stretching and adjustment /2_3/ , collaborating with the sprocket chains / 21/ , 722/ driven by the gear wheel of the compression ratio adjustment /19/ so that the ring /4/, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /I/ is connected by a sprocket chain /17/ of chain transmissions with the ring / 9/, on which is mounted the main piston /l/ working in the cylinder /III/ , the ring /4/, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /II/ is connected by a sprocket chain /17 of chain transmissions/ with the ring / 9./, on which is mounted the main piston /!/ working in the cylinder / / 1/ , the ring / /, on which is mounted the support piston 121 working in the cylinder /III/ is connected by a sprocket chain /17/ of chain transmissions with the ring / / , on which is mounted the main piston /I/ working in the cylinder /II/ .