WO2015062606A1

WO2015062606A1 - Piston machine

Info

Publication number: WO2015062606A1
Application number: PCT/DK2014/050250
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tony Tranekjer SMIDT
Original assignee: Smidt Tony Tranekjer
Priority date: 2013-11-03
Filing date: 2014-08-21
Publication date: 2015-05-07

Abstract

Piston Machine comprising at least one cylinder with at least one piston with at least one piston rod with a first piston rod end connected to the piston, and the second piston rod end connected to a hollow cylindrical pipe shaft, the second piston rod end having a first pin essentially perpendicular to the piston rod, where the pipe shaft has a 360 degree curve cut in the wall at least inside of the pipe shaft, where the length of the curve of the cut is longer than the circumference of the pipe shaft, where the curve cut is at least corresponding to the size of the first pin, where the first pin through the curve cut is moveable connected to the pipe shaft and thereby converting a pistons back and forward movement directly into rotation energy.

Description

Piston Machine

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a piston machine, transmitting axial energy into rota- tional energy, comprising at least one cylinder with at least one piston, where the piston comprises at least one piston rod, where the at least one piston rod comprises a first piston rod end and a second piston rod end, where the first piston rod end is connected to the piston.

Background of the Invention

From US1867504A1 a piston machine is known, comprising a number of cylinders each with a plurality of pistons, where the cylinders are arranged in parallel with and radially to a shaft with a cam, where the cam has a groove, and where a rod connected to the cylinders is also radially connected to the groove. When the pistons are moving up and down, the pins are following the groove of the cam, whereby the cam is rotat- ing and the up and down movement of the pistons is transmitted to a moving rotation of the shaft.

One of the disadvantages of this piston machine is that the transmission is coming parallel to, but not in the same axial direction as the shaft, where the shaft is one solid unit and the power transfer from the pistons through the unit is coming from outside of the shaft, causing risk for unsuitable twisting.

Further disadvantages of this piston machine is that it is complex in its construction and therefore complex to build, it is one solid unit and doing maintenance on the ma- chine would require that the whole machine has to be disassembled.

Another disadvantage of this piston machine is that it would not be able to function with only one piston and the need of two pistons in at least two cylinders is making the machine costly to build and producing small entities is simply not feasible due to production cost.

Yet another disadvantage is the space needed for installation of the piston machine. Disadvantages also known from ordinary piston machines are the immense loss of energy from the connecting rod bearings and the crank bearings.

Object of the Invention

The object of this invention is therefore to provide a piston machine, where a machine is defined as an engine or a motor designed to convert energy of the type mentioned in the introduction to transmit axial movement into rotational movement without a crankshaft and more efficiently than prior-art technology.

In any circumstances, it is an object of the invention to provide a piston machine, converting pistons back and forward movements, directly into rotation energy to be used for propulsion or power generation etc.

Further objects of the invention are to e.g. :

• make it easy and cheap to manufacture with a minimum of bearings preferably only two sets of bearings,

• make it cheaper to build, more economical and easier to maintain,

• gain a higher energy conversion ratio due to less bearings and parts than used in previously known piston machines,

• for use in cars, mopeds, ships, planes, garden machines and basically every known combustion or explosion piston cylinder setup,

• for use in compressors for compressing air or any gases,

• connecting and disconnecting the machine easily, and

• transmitting power from inside the pipe shaft.

Description of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, the above object is achieved with a piston machine of the type mentioned in the introduction, where the second piston rod end is connected to a hollow cylindrical pipe shaft, where the centerline of the cylinder is coaxial with the centerline of the pipe shaft and where the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical pipe shaft is at least corresponding to the circumscribed outer diameter of the piston rod end, where the second piston rod end has a first pin, where the first pin is essentially perpendicular to the piston rod, where the pipe shaft has a 360 degree curve cut in the wall, where the curve cut is at least at the inside of the pipe shaft, where the length of the curve of the cut is longer than the circumference of the pipe shaft, where the curve cut is at least corresponding to the size of the first pin, where the first pin through the curve cut is moveable connected to the pipe shaft.

This makes it possible to provide a piston machine, which is able to convert a pistons back and forward movement directly into rotation energy or to convert rotational movement into a reciprocating back and forward energy e.g. for compressing suitable types of gases. By having the centerline of the cylinder to be coaxial with the center- line of the pipe shaft ensures that the main part of the energy is transferred from the piston to the pipe shaft with the lowest possible loss of energy due to friction from unnecessary parts and their movements. With the hollow pipe shaft having the smallest possible inner diameter still corresponding to the circumscribed outer diameter of the piston rod the torque with respect to bending and torsion is likewise minimized.

The mentioned circumscribed outer diameter of the piston rod end is equally to the outer diameter of the piston rod end if the piston rod end is cylindrical in its cross section. Since the piston machine does not have a crankshaft, the well-known crank mechanism is therefore omitted and therefore it is only the axial movement which leads to the rotation of the pipe shaft.

Ideally, with the proper construction and combination of air intake, injection nozzles, exhaust valves and shape of the top of the piston it is possible to have the piston to make a straight line, a back and forward movement.

The piston machine could be made in a number of various materials and could be produced in a number of various ways as well, from traditional processing in workshops to casting parts in e.g. cast iron, plastic etc. By casting for example the pipe shaft, the curve cut could easily be casted as an integrated part of the pipe shaft. Another option is casting the pipe shaft in two individual parts which later could be connected to one. The piston machine does not take up much space since it is essentially pipe shaped, and it could be constructed to fit between car wheels, bottom of boats etc.

The piston machine is very easy to maintain, the combustion/explosion machine com- prising only two units, the pipe shaft being one unit and the cylinder, piston, piston rod and the first pin being the second unit. Maintenance is mainly limited to exchanging the first pin. The piston and cylinder liner need the normal maintenance of that kind of machine. The pipe shaft being one unit, any other machine could in principle be used as the other unit if coupled to the pipe shaft.

In a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the pipe shaft is suspended by at least one set of bearings.

This makes it possible to ensure the rotational movement of the pipe shaft, however at the same time ensuring that the pipe shaft is not bending or otherwise moving away from the centerline of the pipe shaft. Suspending the pipe shaft could for example and preferably be done at its ends, with either thrust bearings, ball bearings, a combination of both bearings or alternatively by using other bearings and combinations thereof.

Actually, at least theoretically, the pipe shaft is fully functional without bearings, however to ensure the coaxial position between the cylinder and the pipe shaft it is beneficially to suspend the pipe shaft with bearings to bearing brackets.

In a third aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the at least one second pin is fixed to the piston rod, where the second pin is corresponding to a groove in the machine or a foundation of said machine, where the second pin is moveable within the groove in a reciprocating manner.

This makes it possible to enable and ensure a back and forward movement from the piston rod, hence ensuring that the piston is not rotating in the cylinder, and thus transferring less than all its energy to the pipe shaft. Another option is installing a fitting or a device fixed to the foundation and pressing from e.g. two sides around the piston rod.

A further option is to fixate at least one second pin to the machine or a foundation of said machine, where the second pin is corresponding to a groove in the piston rod, where the second pin is moveable within the groove in a reciprocating manner.

Yet another option is installing a crosshead the traditional way, between the piston rod connected to the piston and another rod connected to the pipe shaft.

Yet another option is installing a bearing, for example a kind of roller bearing, where the centerline of the rollers are not parallel to the centerline of the piston rod, but where the centerline of the piston rod is rectangular to the plane in which the center- lines of the rollers are situated. When the piston rod is then moving forth and back the rollers are then rotating around their centerline, but if the piston rod is trying to rotate around its centerline, then the rotation will affect the rollers across their direction of rotation causing friction and hence making the piston rod rotation impossible. Other bearings causing the same effect might as well be options. In a fourth aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the curve cut in the wall is a through curve cut, where the pipe shaft comprises two parts joined together.

This makes it possible to manufacture the pipe shaft in two individual parts, manufac- turing connecting braces, fittings etc. and then connecting the parts with the desired distance of the curve cut and then by welding, bolting, gluing etc. making the final pipe shaft. This making it also easier to replacing parts, needed to be replaced due to wear. In a fifth aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the curve cut is a straight cut, where the cut has an inclined angle through the pipe shaft. This makes it possible to manufacture an easy and simple curve cut through the wall of the pipe shaft, where the curve cut is made only in relation to and depending on the movement/distance of the piston stroke. In a sixth aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the cut is a curved cut following a pv-diagram of a piston machine. This makes it possible to manufacture a curve cut according to a pressure volume diagram where the inclination of the curve cut is steeper when the combustion/explosion pressure is highest.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the first pin is replaceable and made of a material having an e-modulus lower than the e- modulus of the pipe shaft.

This makes it possible to change and replace the first pin, which is easier than repairing or replacing the pipe shaft, which is a tear and wear problem of this connection.

An option is also to embed wear rails or exchangeable wear rails made of a material having an e-modulus higher than the e-modulus of the first pin, where the wear rails are to be embedded along the sides of the curved cut, where the sides are touching or sliding towards the first pin.

Another option is coating of one or both of the pin and sides of the curve cut with a hard-wearing coating or having one part being coated with a material having an e- modulus lower than the other part. It is an option whether it is the first pin or the sides of the curved cut that has the lowest e-modulus.

In an eight aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the piston machine further comprises a power outtake which is attached to the pipe shaft.

This makes it possible to transferring the rotational energy from the pipe shaft to the final machine, user or purpose. One option for this being done is having the centerline of the output being coaxial with the centerline of the pipe shaft. Another option is having the centerline of the output being off-centered but fixed to the pipe shaft, the outtake then rotating around the centerline of the pipe shaft.

The outtake shaft is being connected to the pipe shaft by welding, casting, bolting etc.

In a ninth aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the power outtake further comprises a sprocket wheel and a cog wheel, where the sprocket wheel is arranged around the pipe shaft, where the cogwheel is corresponding to the sprocket wheel and where the cog wheel is connected to the power outtake.

An option is also to use a gear or to use a sprocket wheel and a cog wheel with a gearing providing the needed and wanted rotation of the power outtake.

This makes it possible having the centerline of the output being off-centered, not fixed to the pipe shaft but moveable connected to the pipe shaft, the outtake then rotating around the centerline of the outtake shaft.

In a tenth aspect, the present invention also relates to a piston machine, where the piston machine comprises several pistons.

This makes it possible having the pistons being opposite the pipe shaft, where one piston is e.g. at the top and the other piston is at the bottom of their cycle. That way the pistons are working together moving and rotating the pipe shaft. Another option is for the pistons being arranged at the same side of the pipe shaft and furthermore arranged on the same piston rod as serial connected pistons. The power output being limitless, by serial connecting pistons in the cylinders whereby the power needed is obtainable. Yet another option for the pistons is being double-acting. If being single-acting a flywheel might be necessary.

The pistons may either be working by two-stroke or four-stroke with or without a flywheel. It is another option of the invention to convert rotational movement into reciprocating back and forward energy e.g. for compressing suitable types of gases. Rotating the pipe shaft 7 could therefore run a compressor, where the piston rod 4 moves the piston 3 inside the cylinder 2 and hence compress the air between the piston 3 and the cylinder 2.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will be described in further detail below by means of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the main parts of the invention seen in cross section

Fig. 2 shows a pipe shaft from one position

Fig. 3 shows a pipe shaft from another position seen in cross section

Fig. 4 shows the essential steps of the process

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention

Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention

Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention

In the drawing, the following reference numerals have been used for the designations used in the detailed part of the description:

1 Piston machine

2 Cylinder

3 Piston

4 Piston rod

5 First piston end

6 Second piston end

7 Hollow cylindrical pipe shaft

8 Centerline, cylinder

9 Centerline, pipe shaft

10 Inner diameter, pipe shaft

11 Circumscribed outer diameter, piston rod

12 First pin 13 Curve cut

14 Power outtake

15 Brace

16 First pipe shaft part

17 Second pipe shaft part

18 First side, curve cut

19 Second side, curve cut

20 Bearing

21 Second pin

22 Groove

23 Air intake

24 Exhaust valve

25 Injection nozzle

26 Seal

27 Combustion chamber

28 Sprocket wheel

29 Cogwheel

Detailed Description of the Invention

A Piston machine according to the invention is shown in figures 1-7.

Figure 1 shows the main parts of a piston machine 1 according to the invention seen in cross section, where a cylinder 2 is having a back and forth moving piston 3, where the piston 3 is having a piston rod 4. The piston rod 4 is having a first piston rod end 5 and a second piston rod end 6, where the first piston rod end 5 is connected to the pis- ton 3, and where the second piston rod end 6 is connected to a hollow cylindrical pipe shaft 7.

The centerline of the cylinder 8 is coaxial with the centerline of the pipe shaft 9, and the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical pipe shaft 10 is at least corresponding to the circumscribed outer diameter of the piston rod end 11. The second piston rod end 6 has a first pin 12 which is perpendicular to the piston rod 4. The pipe shaft 7 has a 360 degree curve cut 13 in the wall corresponding to the size of the first pin 12, which is moveable connected to the pipe shaft 7. Figure 2 shows a pipe shaft from one position and figure 3 shows a pipe shaft from another position seen in cross section, where it can be seen that the hollow cylindrical pipe shaft 7 in this embodiment, basically is a cylinder shaped pipe, cut in two pieces, and where the pipe shaft 7 is hollow inside to allow room for a piston rod 4, which is then being able to move back and forth inside the pipe shaft 7.

The piston rod 4 could in one embodiment be a prolonged piston rod from a normal Combustion-Explosion piston machine, the piston rod 4 moving back and forth inside the pipe shaft 7, transferring the power from the piston rod 4 through the first pin 12 to the pipe shaft 7.

In the shown example, the curve cut 13 is a straight cut 13, however another option is that the curve cut 13 could follow the combustion-explosion diagram for a machine and having a higher inclined cut 13, where the piston 3 having most energy to deliver, and gradually sloping at the end of the pistons travel and again when the piston 3 starts moving in the opposite direction having a higher inclination.

The power outtake 14 from the pipe shaft 7 is attached at an outtake 14 at one end of the pipe shaft 7. The pipe shaft 7 shown is constructed in such a way that two separate parts, a first pipe shaft part 16 and a second pipe shaft part 17, are joined together by a number of braces 15, which are e.g. welded or screwed at the first pipe shaft part 16 and the second pipe shaft part 17. In the shown example the braces 15 are forming an arch to allow movement for a first pin 12 in the curve cut 13. That means that the curve cut 13 is a continuous unbroken curve cut 13 around the pipe shaft 7.

The first pin 12 is effectually the component that transfers the power from the pistons 3 back and forward movement directly to the pipe shaft 7. Regarding wear and tear, one way is making the first pin 12 replaceable. The first pin 12 could in one embodi- ment be made of a material having an e-modulus lower than the e-modulus of the pipe shaft 7 to reduce the wear from the first pin 12 to the pipe shaft 7.

Another option is coating the surface of the first pipe shaft part 16 and the second pipe shaft part 17, which is forming the curve cut 13 that means the first side of the curve cut 18 and the second side of the curve cut 19, with a material having an e-modulus higher than the e-modulus of the first pin 12.

A further option is coating both surfaces of the first side of the curve cut 18 and the second side of the curve cut 19 as well as the first pin 12, having one part being coated with a material having an e-modulus lower than the other part.

A further option is to embed wear rails or exchangeable wear rails made of a material having an e-modulus higher than the e-modulus of the first pin, where the wear rails are to be embedded along the sides of the curved cut, where the sides are touching or sliding towards the first pin.

Lubricating the pipe shaft 7 and the first pin 12 could happen by means of an oil bath, but oil spraying of the first pin 12 and the first pipe shaft part 16 and the second pipe shaft part 17 is also an option. In larger models of the piston machine 1 it could be an advantage to place the first pin 12 into a ball bearing situated in the piston rod 4, to make the first pin 12 rotating, when in contact with the first pipe shaft part 16 and the second pipe shaft part 17 and thus minimize the tear and wear. The figure shows that the pipe shaft 7 is suspended by two bearings 20, which are attached to the foundation. The bearings 20 allowing the pipe shaft 7 to rotate.

A second pin 21 is fixed to the piston rod 4, where the second pin 21 is corresponding to a groove 22 in the machine or its foundation, where the second pin 21 is moveable within the groove 22.

An option is also to fixate at least one second pin to the machine or a foundation of the machine, where the second pin is corresponding to a groove in the piston rod 4, where the second pin 21 is moveable within the groove in a reciprocating manner. Figure 4 shows the essential steps of the process:

Step 4 A, the piston 3 moving towards the pipe shaft 7, pressing the first pin 12 to a first side of the curve cut 18, forcing the pipe shaft 7 to rotate clockwise.

Step 4B, the piston 3 having reached the first end position, the first pin 12 having also reached the first end position. The piston 3 starting its return movement by pressing the first pin 12 to the second side of the curve cut 19, forcing the pipe shaft 7 to con- tinue its clockwise rotation.

Step 4C, the piston 3 is in the middle of its combustion-explosion cycle, still on its return movement pressing the first pin 12 to the second side of the curve cut 19 continuing its clockwise rotation.

Step 4D, the piston 3 having reached the second end position, the piston 3 will start moving towards its first end position again and is thereby pressing the first side of the curve cut 18 continuing the clockwise rotation. That means that the pipe shaft 7 will be forced in a clockwise or anticlockwise rotational movement by the axial movement of the piston 3 and likewise in the opposite clockwise or anticlockwise rotational movement if the piston movement reverses.

Another benefit from this machine is the option making it rotate the other way around (counter clockwise). By stopping the machine anywhere (apart from the Top Dead Center and the Bottom Dead Center of the piston), and making the piston 3 change direction. This, resulting in the first pin 12 pressing at the opposite side of the curve cut 13 and hence making the pipe shaft 7 rotating opposite. Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the invention, where a piston machine 1 is double acting by having an air intake 23, either from free air or forced by scavenge air turbo- charger compressor etc., and at least one exhaust valve 24 and at least one injection nozzle 25 at each side of the piston 3. At the side of the piston 3 from which the piston rod 4 is positioned a sealing 26 is arranged to prevent gas escaping from the combus- tion chamber 27 where the piston rod 4 is situated. A double acting machine ensures a more fluent cycle.

A one way acting machine is off course also an option, however a flywheel might be necessary, unless the pipe shaft 7 is heavy enough to ensure the kinetic energy needed to continue the movement by itself.

One option for placement of the flywheel could be opposite the pipe shaft 7, having the cylinder 2 and piston 3 at one side and the flywheel at the other side of the pipe shaft 7.

A two stroke machine is an option as well as a four stroke machine, but in case of the latter, the pipe shaft 7 would have to have more mass to work as a flywheel than is the case with a two stroke machine. Alternative a flywheel could be connected either on top of the pipe shaft 7 - when the pipe shaft 7 is in a vertical direction -, outside the pipe shaft 7 as a sleeve, or directly at the power outtake 14. However, other options for positioning a flywheel are possible as well, as long as the inertia is maintained.

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the invention, where a piston machine 1 is having serial connected pistons 3. The figure shows the main idea of serial connected pistons, leaving out details like individual cylinder head for each piston and bearings on the piston rod 4, ensuring that the pressure from the combustion is kept within the individual combustion chamber. In principle, a cylinder 2 / piston 3 unit is connected to another cylinder 2 / piston 3 unit where the pistons 3 are all connected to the same piston rod 4.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the invention, where a piston machine 1 having a cylinder 2 with a piston 3 arranged at each end of the pipe shaft 7, in such a way that the centerline of the cylinders 8 are coaxial with the centerline of the pipe shaft 9. The embodiment having at the pipe shaft 7, a sprocket wheel 28 connected with a cogwheel 29 arranged at the power outtake 23, which is then off centered from the centerline of the pipe shaft 9. A two stroke machine is an option, as well as a four stroke machine and serial connected pistons 3 on both sides is also an option.

Claims

1. Piston Machine, transmitting axial energy into rotational energy, comprising at least one cylinder with at least one piston, where the piston comprises at least one piston rod, where the at least one piston rod comprises a first piston rod end and a second piston rod end, where the first piston rod end is connected to the piston, characterized in that the second piston rod end is connected to a hollow cylindrical pipe shaft, where the centerline of the cylinder is coaxial with the centerline of the pipe shaft and where the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical pipe shaft is at least corresponding to the circumscribed outer diameter of the piston rod end, where the second piston rod end has a first pin, where the first pin is essentially perpendicular to the piston rod, where the pipe shaft has a 360 degree curve cut in the wall, where the curve cut is at least at the inside of the pipe shaft, where the length of the curve of the cut is longer than the circumference of the pipe shaft, where the curve cut is at least corresponding to the size of the first pin, where the first pin through the curve cut is moveable connected to the pipe shaft.

2. Piston Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipe shaft is suspended by at least one set of bearings.

3. Piston Machine according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one second pin is fixed to the piston rod, where the second pin is corresponding to a groove in the machine or a foundation of said machine, where the second pin is moveable within the groove in a reciprocating manner.

4. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the curve cut in the wall is a through cut, where the pipe shaft comprises two parts joined together.

5. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the curve cut is a straight cut, where the curve cut has an inclined angle through the pipe shaft.

6. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cut is a curved cut following a pv-diagram of a piston machine.

7. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that where the first pin is replaceable and made of a material having an e-modulus lower than the e-modulus of the pipe shaft.

8. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the piston machine further comprises a power outtake which is attached to the pipe shaft.

9. Piston Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the power outtake further comprises a sprocket wheel and a cog wheel, where the sprocket wheel is arranged around the pipe shaft, where the cogwheel is corresponding to the sprocket wheel and where the cog wheel is connected to the power outtake.

10. Piston Machine according to any of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the piston machine comprises several pistons.