WO2016126655A1 - A compact multi-module, opposed piston opposed cylinder engine - Google Patents

A compact multi-module, opposed piston opposed cylinder engine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016126655A1
WO2016126655A1 PCT/US2016/016088 US2016016088W WO2016126655A1 WO 2016126655 A1 WO2016126655 A1 WO 2016126655A1 US 2016016088 W US2016016088 W US 2016016088W WO 2016126655 A1 WO2016126655 A1 WO 2016126655A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
journal
web
adjacent
eccentric
pullrod
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/016088
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Hofbauer
Original Assignee
Ecomotors, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ecomotors, Inc. filed Critical Ecomotors, Inc.
Publication of WO2016126655A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016126655A1/en

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B7/00—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders
    • F01B7/02—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders with oppositely reciprocating pistons
    • F01B7/04—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders with oppositely reciprocating pistons acting on same main shaft
    • F01B7/06—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders with oppositely reciprocating pistons acting on same main shaft using only connecting-rods for conversion of reciprocatory into rotary motion or vice versa
    • F01B7/08—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders with oppositely reciprocating pistons acting on same main shaft using only connecting-rods for conversion of reciprocatory into rotary motion or vice versa with side rods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B75/00—Other engines
    • F02B75/28—Engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B9/00—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines characterised by connections between pistons and main shafts and not specific to preceding groups
    • F01B9/02—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines characterised by connections between pistons and main shafts and not specific to preceding groups with crankshaft

Definitions

  • the present disclosure is related to a compact architecture for a multiple- module, opposed-piston (OP) engine.
  • OP engines are power-dense power plants.
  • the opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder (OPOC) type of OP engine can be very long engine in the direction of piston travel. To obtain the power required for larger applications, it is unwieldy to simply increase the bore and stroke to obtain the displacement needed. Instead, it is desirable to couple multiple modules of the OPOC engine together to obtain the targeted power level.
  • an engine has a crankshaft having an axis of rotation, a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web.
  • the second and third eccentric journals are identically phased.
  • the first eccentric journal has an uneven offset phase angle between 140 and 220 degree with respect to the second and third eccentric journals.
  • the crankshaft has a direction of rotation in operation in the engine.
  • the offset phase angle with respect to the second and third eccentric journals is 180 crank angle degrees plus a predetermined angle.
  • the predetermined angle is in the range of 5 to 40 crank angle degrees and -40 to -5 crank angle degrees.
  • the engine further has a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second journal, a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third journal, a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder, a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder, a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder, a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second journal, and a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third journal.
  • the crankshaft may further have a sixth web adjacent to the second eccentric journal, a fourth eccentric journal adjacent to the sixth web, an eighth web adjacent to the fourth eccentric journal, a fourth main journal adjacent to the eighth web, a tenth web adjacent to the fourth main journal, a sixth eccentric journal adjacent to the tenth web, a twelfth web adjacent to the sixth eccentric journal, an eighth eccentric journal adjacent to the twelfth web, a fourteenth web adjacent to the eighth eccentric journal, a sixth main journal adjacent the fourteenth web, a second end piece adjacent the sixth main journal, a fifth web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a third eccentric journal adjacent to the fifth web, a seventh web adjacent to the third eccentric journal, a third main journal adjacent to the seventh web, a ninth web adjacent to the third main journal, a fifth eccentric journal adjacent to the ninth web, an eleventh web adjacent to the fifth eccentric journal, a seventh eccentric journal adjacent to the eleventh web, a thirteenth web adjacent to the seventh eccentric journal, a fifth main journal adjacent the thirteenth web,
  • the engine may further include a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second eccentric journal, a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third eccentric journal, a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder, a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder, a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder, a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second eccentric journal, a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third eccentric journal, a third cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a third inner piston disposed in the third cylinder, a third pushrod coupling the third inner piston to the seventh eccentric journal, a third outer piston disposed in the third eccentric journal,
  • crankshaft is made of independently
  • first outer section that includes at least: the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web
  • second outer section that includes at least: the second end piece, the sixth main journal, and the fourteenth web
  • a central section that includes at least the first eccentric journal
  • a first inner section that includes at least: the fifth eccentric journal
  • a second inner section that includes at least: the fourth eccentric journal.
  • crankshaft sections include: an a section that includes the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web; a b section that includes the eleventh web; a c section that includes the ninth web, the third main journal, and the seventh web; a d section that includes the fifth web; an e section that includes the third web, the first main journal, and the first web; a f section that includes the second web, the second main journal, and the fourth web; a g section that includes the sixth web; a h section that includes the eighth web, the fourth main journal, and the tenth web; a i section that includes: the twelfth web; and a j section that includes the fourteenth web, the six main journal, and the second end piece.
  • a multiple-module internal combustion engine has a crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web; a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal;
  • an engine crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the third web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the second web.
  • the engine also has a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the third eccentric journal; a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the second eccentric journal; and a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the third eccentric journal.
  • a two-module, internal combustion engine has a crankshaft with a left end piece; a left main journal adjacent to the left end piece; a left web adjacent to the left main journal; an alpha left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left web; a left wide web adjacent to the first left pullrod eccentric journal; a left pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left wide web; a left medium width web adjacent to the left pushrod eccentric journal; a left center main journal adjacent to the left medium width web; a left center web adjacent to the left center main journal; a beta left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left center web; a center web adjacent to the second left pullrod eccentric journal; a right end piece; a right main journal adjacent to the right end piece; a right web adjacent to the right main journal; an alpha right pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right web; a right wide web adjacent to the first right pullrod eccentric journal; a right pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right wide web; a right medium width web adjacent to the right pushrod eccentric journal; a right center main journal; an
  • the engine further includes a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal; a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal; a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal; a third cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a fourth cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the third cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a third inner piston and a third outer piston
  • Figure 1 A is an illustration of a three-module OPOC engine in which three single OPOC engines are coupled together by one embodiment of a crankshaft.
  • Figure 1 B is an illustration of another embodiment of a crankshaft which may be used to couple three single OPOC engines together.
  • Figure 1 C is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a crankshaft which may be used to couple three single OPOC engines together.
  • Figure 2 is an illustration of still another crankshaft which may be used to couple three OPOC engines together.
  • Figure 3 is an illustration of an end view of the crankshaft of Figure 2.
  • Figures 4-5 are phasing illustrations of three-module OPOC engines.
  • Figures 6-7 are phasing illustrations of two-module OPOC engines.
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an engine in which three single
  • Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an engine in which three OPOC engines are coupled together using the crankshaft of Figure 2.
  • Figures 10 and 1 1 are illustrations of a built-up crankshaft in an
  • Figure 12 is an illustration of fork-and-blade pushrods.
  • Figure 13 is an illustration of a crankshaft for a two-module OPOC engine.
  • references in the specification to "one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may or may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Further still, it is contemplated that any single feature, structure or characteristic disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other disclosed feature, structure or characteristic, whether or not explicitly described, and that no limitations on the types and/or number of such combinations should therefore be inferred.
  • FIG 1 A a three-module OPOC engine is illustrated. Prior to discussing the three modules, a single module OPOC engine 10 is discussed. The engine block, including the cylinders, is not shown in Figure 1 A to facilitate viewing of the various moving parts therein.
  • a crankshaft 20 has main bearings 24 that are situated on outer edges of the portion of crankshaft 20 associated with OPOC engine module 10. Crankshaft 20 rotates about a central axis 21.
  • a central axis of main bearings 24 is collinear with central axis 21 , and is therefore represented in Figure 1A by the central axis 21 .
  • each of two opposing cylinders of the OPOC engine module 10 (cylinders not shown in Figure 1 A) arranged on either side of crankshaft 20 are inner pistons 12 and outer pistons 14.
  • the inner pistons 12 are each coupled to crankshaft 20 via a pushrod 16.
  • the outer pistons are each coupled to crankshaft 20 via a pair of pullrods 18.
  • Each set of pullrods 18 couple to a corresponding piston 14 via a bridge 22.
  • the two pushrods 16 both couple to a single eccentric journal of crankshaft 20.
  • the eccentric journal itself is not visible in Figure 1A; however, between pushrods 16, a small portion of a bearing 26 riding on this journal is visible.
  • each opposing pair of pullrods 18 couple to a different, single eccentric journal of the crankshaft 20 and, although such eccentric journals are not visible in Figure 1 A, a small portion of a bearing 27 riding on each such eccentric journal can be seen between each opposing pair of pullrods 18.
  • each of the eccentric journals associated with pullrods 18 of OPOC engine module 10 and the eccentric journal for the pushrods 16 are webs 28 defined on the crankshaft 20.
  • the webs 28 each illustratively have substantial width due to the pullrods 18 being situated outside of the cylinder.
  • crankshaft 20 includes the features described above for each of the three engine modules.
  • the three OPOC engine modules are shown with the same phase such that the pistons 12, 14 in each of the engine modules are in the same position. It is desirable in some alternate embodiments to evenly phase the modules so that they are 120 degrees offset relative to each other.
  • the crankshaft 20 includes two main bearings 24 between each adjacent engine module for a total of six main bearings 24.
  • the three-module OPOC engine 30 may be made more compact by reducing the number of main bearings on the crankshaft between either or both of the adjacent engine modules.
  • FIG 1 B for example, another embodiment of a crankshaft 40 for a three-module OPOC engine is shown which includes five main bearings 24.
  • the crankshaft 40 includes end pieces 42, webs 44 on either side of each of six separate pullrod eccentric journals 46 and webs 28 on either side of each three separate pushrod eccentric journals 48, all arranged as described with respect to Figure 1 A.
  • crankshaft 40 includes main bearings 24 adjacent each end piece 42, two main bearings 24 between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of one adjacent set of engine modules (i.e., left of center in FIG. 1 B) and only a single main bearing 24 between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of the other adjacent set of engine modules.
  • FIG. 1 B represents a specific embodiment in which the crankshaft 40 also includes a clutch 45 positioned between the two main bearings 24 located between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of the one adjacent set of engine modules.
  • crankshaft 50 for a three-module OPOC engine which includes four main bearings 24.
  • the crankshaft 50 is similarly as described with respect to the crankshaft 40 of Figure 1 B except that the crankshaft 50 includes only a single main bearing 24 between each adjacent set of engine modules.
  • each of the crankshafts 40 and 50 illustrated in Figures 1 B and 1 C are arranged such that each of the three sets of eccentric journals, i.e., each set comprising a pair of pullrod eccentric journals 46 and pushrod eccentric journal 48 of a different one of the engine modules, is evenly phased relative to the others such that each set of eccentric journals is 120 degrees offset from each other.
  • the main bearings 24 of each crankshaft 40 and 50 are arranged such that the central axis of each is aligned with those of the others as well as with the central axis 41 , 51 of the corresponding crankshaft 40, 50 respectively.
  • crankshaft 100 is shown for a three-module OPOC engine that is more compact than the configuration shown in Figures 1 A, 1 B and 1 C is shown.
  • Crankshaft 100 rotates around a central axis 170.
  • crankshaft 100 has a first end piece 160, fifth main journal 156, thirteenth web 152, ninth eccentric journal 148, eleventh web 144, seventh eccentric journal 140, ninth web 136, third main journal 132, seventh web 128, fifth eccentric journal 124, fifth web 120, third eccentric journal 1 16, third web 1 12, first main journal 108, first web 104, first eccentric journal 102, second web 106, second main journal 1 10, fourth web 1 14, second eccentric journal 1 18, sixth web 122, fourth eccentric journal 126, eighth web 130, fourth main journal 134, tenth web 138, sixth eccentric journal 142, twelfth web 146, eighth eccentric journal 150, fourteenth web 154, sixth main journal 158, and second end piece 162.
  • Figure 2 is a relatively complicated figure with many features separately identified.
  • the names using ordinal numbers are not being used in their conventional sense, i.e., in order. Instead, the naming convention is applied in Figure 2 and used later on in the specification including the claims; but reference to the eleventh journal may precede the reference to the eighth journal, as an example.
  • This shorthand convention obviates a cumbersome naming convention such as "left eccentric journal associated with the pullrod of the first module" and renaming the elements in the claims based on the order in which they are used.
  • crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2 has no main journals between adjacent OPOC engine modules 172 and 174 and no main journals between adjacent OPOC engine modules 174 and 176. Rather, main journals 108 and 1 10 associated with OPOC engine module 174 are inside eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18, i.e., the eccentric journals that are coupled with outer pistons (not shown) associated with OPOC engine module 174.
  • Outer OPOC engine modules 172 and 176 have one main journal 132 and 134, respectively, that are pulled inward toward their eccentric journals 140 and 142, respectively, that couple to the inner pistons.
  • the outermost main journals 156 and 158 are displaced outwardly by wider webs 144 and 146 (i.e., wider relative to the webs 136 and 138), respectively, so that main journals 156 and 158 are proximate ends of crankshaft 100.
  • Such a configuration allows for crankshaft 100 to be significantly shortened in the region between adjacent engine modules.
  • the main bearings at the ends of the crankshaft are inward of the outer eccentric journals. This leads to "flying" journals at the ends of the crankshaft.
  • crankshaft 100 An end view of crankshaft 100 is shown in Figure 3.
  • the central axis through the crankshaft 100 is 170.
  • First end piece 160 is visible with second end piece 162 in line with first end piece 160, and the second end piece 162 therefore is not visible in Figure 3.
  • Main journals 108, 1 10, 132, 134, 156, and 158 have a central axis collinear with central axis 170 of crankshaft 100.
  • the main journals could be of different diameters and width in alternative embodiments.
  • Eccentric journals 102, 140, and 142 couple to inner pistons via pushrods.
  • Eccentric journals 102, 140, and 142 are evenly distributed on crankshaft 100, i.e., with 120 degree spacing.
  • the outer pistons each have two pullrods that couple to eccentric journal pairs (126 and 150), (1 16 and 1 18), and (124 and 148). Such pairs are also evenly spaced with 120 degree spacing but with a phase angle with respect to the associated pushrod journals.
  • the phasing of the pistons in a particular engine module is not evenly phased, i.e., not 180 degrees apart. Instead, the exhaust piston is phased earlier than the intake piston so that the exhaust piston reaches its bottom end of travel before the intake piston (moving in the opposite direction as the exhaust piston) reaches its bottom end of travel. The exhaust piston uncovers the exhaust ports to allow exhaust blowdown before the intake piston uncovers the intake ports. This helps to prevent excessive exhaust back flow.
  • the inner pistons are intake pistons. 11 is the inner piston associated with module 1 . Its associated outer piston, i.e., opposed piston, is 01 .
  • 01 is clocked closer to 11 than 180 degrees, with respect to the axis of rotation indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. If evenly spaced, 11 and 03 would be displaced by 60 degrees, but is instead something less than 60 degrees; and 03 to I2 is greater than 60 degrees. A typical offset from even spacing is about 15 crank angle degrees, but varies depending on size of the engine, port heights, scavenging apparatus, and many other factors.
  • the phase difference from an ⁇ " pistons to the next ⁇ " piston is less than the phase difference between the ⁇ " piston to the next ⁇ " piston, e.g., phase difference between 11 and 03 is less than the phase difference between 03 and I2.
  • phase difference between 11 and the next one in the axis of rotation, 03 is greater than 60 crank angle degrees and the phase difference between 03 and I2 is less than 60 crank angle degrees, and so on e.g., phase difference between 11 and 03 is greater than the phase difference between 03 and I2.
  • the eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18 in one embodiment of the engine module 174 are illustratively identically phased, and the eccentric journal 102 is offset by a phase angle with respect to each of the eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18.
  • this offset phase angle may be represented as 180 crank angle degrees plus a predetermine angle.
  • the predetermined angle may illustratively be in the range of 5 to 40 crank angle degrees, or between -40 to -5 crank angle degrees, although other ranges of the predetermine angle are contemplated by this disclosure.
  • Web 152 is illustrated as circular in Figure 3. However, in other embodiments, web 152 is a different shape. Figures 3 and 4 are provided to indicate the relative phasing of the modules of the engine and relative phasing of the eccentric journals associated within a module, not to indicate anything about the relative diameters and shapes of the journals, webs, etc.
  • FIG. 6 and 7 An illustration of phasing with a two-module engine variant is shown in Figures 6 and 7.
  • Module 1 and Module 2 are 180 degrees out of phase.
  • 11 and I2 i.e., the timing of the inner pistons in the two modules are opposite each other.
  • Figure 6 which is indicative of an engine in which the exhaust pistons are outer pistons
  • 01 occurs ahead of the 180 degree phasing.
  • Figure 7 illustrates the situation in which the inner pistons are exhaust pistons.
  • the present disclosure applies to four-module variants in which the engine modules are phased 90 degree apart.
  • the present disclosure applies to any number of modules coupled together along the crankshaft.
  • a three-module OPOC engine 200 shown in cross section, illustratively utilizes the crankshaft 50 shown in FIG. 1 C such that each of four main journals 24 are located outside of the projection of cylinder walls 204 of each of three engine modules 206, 208, 210.
  • Pullrods 218a, - 218f are each housed within a corresponding tunnel 216a - 216f, respectively.
  • the outer piston in the left-hand cylinder 204 is in its top dead center position and the outer piston in the right-hand cylinder 204 is in its bottom dead center position.
  • the cross-sectional view cuts through the entirety of each pullrod 218a, 218b.
  • each pullrod 218c, 218d is shown in the view illustrated in Figure 8.
  • adjacent tunnels 216b, 216c and 216d, 216e that house pullrods 218b, 218c and 218d, 218e respectively are spaced apart from each other due to the main bearing 24 positioned between each adjacent set of engine modules 210, 208 and 208, 206 respectively.
  • the adjacent tunnels 216b, 216c and 216d, 216e are each individual and separate tunnel structures.
  • FIG 9 another three-module OPOC engine 300, shown in cross section, illustratively utilizes the compact crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2.
  • crankshaft 100 each of the four inner main journals 108, 1 10, 132 and 134 are located within the projection of an associated one of the cylinder walls 304, thereby allowing the cylinder walls 304 of each of the engine modules 306, 308, 310 to be positioned more closely together in the transverse direction than in the OPOC engine 200 illustrated in Figure 8.
  • the two remaining (outer) main journals 156 and 158 are located outside the projections of the cylinder walls 304.
  • adjacent pullrods need not each be housed in a different tunnel, but rather can be housed together within a single, shared tunnel.
  • single pullrod tunnels 316a and 316d each house a single pullrod 318a and 318f respectively
  • a double pullrod tunnel 316b houses both of the pullrods 318b and 318c
  • another double pullrod tunnel 316c houses both of the pullrods 318d and 318e.
  • crankshaft 400 is manufactured in several sections and then built up from such sections. It is useful to have access to the eccentric journals to slide a one-piece cylindrical bearing, with the pullrods or pushrods coupled thereto, e.g., without screws, over and onto such journals.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a fork-and-blade 350 example combination of pushrods 352, 354.
  • pushrod 352 has forks 356 and pushrod 354 has a blade 358, and the blade 358 nests with the forks 358 as shown.
  • a sleeve bearing 360 is illustratively provided to couple the forks 356 and blade 354 together.
  • bearings in engines and their associated connecting rods are split so that they can be assembled onto crankshaft journals in a unitary crankshaft.
  • a built-up crankshaft such as the crankshaft 400 illustrated in Figure 10, allows for the installation of a pre-assembled fork-and blade structure 350 in which the pushrods are not cracked and the bearing may be a one-piece ring.
  • crankshaft 400 includes separate sections a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, and k to be assembled to produce the assembled version of the crankshaft 400 illustrated in Figure 10.
  • Eccentric journal 402 illustratively has a pin 404 extending outwardly that engages with opening 406 in web 408 using a press fit or any suitable method such as spines, keys, etc.
  • eccentric journals have pins extending outwardly to engage with openings in webs.
  • the main journals such as 410, may also have pins extending therefrom to engage with the adjacent web.
  • crankshaft 400 may be made of more sections to provide for accessibility of main journals to allow assembling of sleeve bearings onto the main journals.
  • Section f includes an eccentric journal and pins extending out of each end of the journal to engage with openings in the webs on either side of the eccentric journal.
  • eccentric journals associated with the pushrods may be integral with the two adjacent webs which requires a split bearing and prohibits fork-and-blade pushrods. In such an embodiment, however, the number of individual sections is reduced from the eleven sections shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 1 .
  • crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2 has a left module 172 and a right module 176 that are substantially mirror images of each other.
  • the end pieces 160 and 162 may, in alternative embodiments, be different from each other to thereby provide for attachment of the crankshaft 100 to different pieces at each end.
  • a crankshaft for a four-module engine may, for example, include two of center modules 174 sandwiched between left and right modules 172 and 176.
  • crankshaft 500 for a two-module version of the engine 200 illustrated in Figure 9.
  • the crankshaft 500 is essentially the same as crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2, except that the center portion 174 is omitted and the end portions 172 and 176 are joined together.
  • the crankshaft 500 in Figure 13 illustratively has, from left to center, a left end piece 502, a left main journal 504, a left web 506, an alpha left pullrod eccentric journal 508, a left wide web 510, a left pushrod eccentric journal 512, a left medium width web 514, a left center main journal 518, a left center web 518, a beta left pullrod eccentric journal 520, and a center web 522.
  • the crankshaft 500 has a right end piece 542, a right main journal 540, a right web 538, an alpha right pullrod eccentric journal 536, a right wide web 534, a right pushrod eccentric journal 532, a right medium width web 530, a right center main journal 528, a right center web 526, a beta right pullrod eccentric journal 524, and the center web 522.
  • a two-module engine only the pullrods associated with journals 520 and 524 would adjacent to each other such that they could be housed together in one double pullrod tunnel.
  • Such a two-module engine may be similar to the engine 300 illustrated in Figure 9 with the module 308 omitted such that only the modules 306 and 310 would be coupled together.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Shafts, Cranks, Connecting Bars, And Related Bearings (AREA)
  • Cylinder Crankcases Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)

Abstract

A multiple-module, opposed-piston (OP) engine presents opportunities for developing an assembly that is more compact than that of three single OP engines coupled together. In a single module of an opposed-piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine, the eccentric journals associated with the pullrods are inside the main journals. However, when two modules are coupled together, the inner main journals may be pulled inside the projection of the cylinder wall to make the assembly more compact. With an OPOC engine, the outer pistons are coupled via pullrods that are each housed within separate tunnels. With such a compact crankshaft, two separate and adjacent tunnels can be replaced by a single, tunnel sized to house two adjacent pullrods therein.

Description

A COMPACT MULTI-MODULE, OPPOSED PISTON OPPOSED CYLINDER ENGINE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/1 1 1 , 133, filed February 3, 2015, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
[0002]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
[0003] The present disclosure is related to a compact architecture for a multiple- module, opposed-piston (OP) engine.
BACKGROUND
[0004] OP engines are power-dense power plants. The opposed-piston, opposed-cylinder (OPOC) type of OP engine can be very long engine in the direction of piston travel. To obtain the power required for larger applications, it is unwieldy to simply increase the bore and stroke to obtain the displacement needed. Instead, it is desirable to couple multiple modules of the OPOC engine together to obtain the targeted power level.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present invention may comprise one or more of the features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the following features and combinations thereof. In one aspect, an engine has a crankshaft having an axis of rotation, a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web. The second and third eccentric journals are identically phased. The first eccentric journal has an uneven offset phase angle between 140 and 220 degree with respect to the second and third eccentric journals.
[0006] The crankshaft has a direction of rotation in operation in the engine. The offset phase angle with respect to the second and third eccentric journals is 180 crank angle degrees plus a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is in the range of 5 to 40 crank angle degrees and -40 to -5 crank angle degrees.
[0007] The engine further has a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second journal, a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third journal, a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder, a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder, a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder, a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second journal, and a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third journal.
[0008] The crankshaft may further have a sixth web adjacent to the second eccentric journal, a fourth eccentric journal adjacent to the sixth web, an eighth web adjacent to the fourth eccentric journal, a fourth main journal adjacent to the eighth web, a tenth web adjacent to the fourth main journal, a sixth eccentric journal adjacent to the tenth web, a twelfth web adjacent to the sixth eccentric journal, an eighth eccentric journal adjacent to the twelfth web, a fourteenth web adjacent to the eighth eccentric journal, a sixth main journal adjacent the fourteenth web, a second end piece adjacent the sixth main journal, a fifth web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a third eccentric journal adjacent to the fifth web, a seventh web adjacent to the third eccentric journal, a third main journal adjacent to the seventh web, a ninth web adjacent to the third main journal, a fifth eccentric journal adjacent to the ninth web, an eleventh web adjacent to the fifth eccentric journal, a seventh eccentric journal adjacent to the eleventh web, a thirteenth web adjacent to the seventh eccentric journal, a fifth main journal adjacent the thirteenth web, and a first end piece adjacent the fifth main journal.
[0009] The engine may further include a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder, a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second eccentric journal, a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third eccentric journal, a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder, a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder, a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal, a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder, a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second eccentric journal, a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third eccentric journal, a third cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a third inner piston disposed in the third cylinder, a third pushrod coupling the third inner piston to the seventh eccentric journal, a third outer piston disposed in the third cylinder, a fifth pullrod coupling the third outer piston to the fifth eccentric journal, a sixth pullrod coupling the third outer piston to the ninth eccentric journal, a fourth cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the third cylinder, a fourth inner piston disposed in the fourth cylinder, a fourth pushrod coupling the fourth inner piston to the seventh eccentric journal, a fourth outer piston disposed in the fourth cylinder, a seventh pullrod coupling the fourth outer piston to the fifth eccentric journal, an eighth pullrod coupling the fourth outer piston to the ninth eccentric journal, fifth cylinder proximate the crankshaft, a fifth inner piston disposed in the fifth cylinder, a fifth pushrod coupling the fifth inner piston to the sixth eccentric journal, a fifth outer piston disposed in the fifth cylinder, a ninth pullrod coupling the fifth outer piston to the fourth eccentric journal, a tenth pullrod coupling the fifth outer piston to the eighth eccentric journal, a sixth cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the fifth cylinder, a sixth inner piston disposed in the sixth cylinder, a sixth pushrod coupling the sixth inner piston to the sixth eccentric journal, a sixth outer piston disposed in the sixth cylinder, an eleventh pullrod coupling the sixth outer piston to the fourth eccentric journal, and a twelfth pullrod coupling the sixth outer piston to the eighth eccentric journal.
[0010] In some embodiments, the crankshaft is made of independently
manufactured sections: a first outer section that includes at least: the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web, second outer section that includes at least: the second end piece, the sixth main journal, and the fourteenth web, a central section that includes at least the first eccentric journal, a first inner section that includes at least: the fifth eccentric journal, and a second inner section that includes at least: the fourth eccentric journal.
[0011] Alternatively the crankshaft sections include: an a section that includes the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web; a b section that includes the eleventh web; a c section that includes the ninth web, the third main journal, and the seventh web; a d section that includes the fifth web; an e section that includes the third web, the first main journal, and the first web; a f section that includes the second web, the second main journal, and the fourth web; a g section that includes the sixth web; a h section that includes the eighth web, the fourth main journal, and the tenth web; a i section that includes: the twelfth web; and a j section that includes the fourteenth web, the six main journal, and the second end piece.
[0012] A multiple-module internal combustion engine, according to some embodiments of the disclosure, has a crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web; a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the third eccentric journal; a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the second eccentric journal; and a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the third eccentric journal.
[0013] Also disclosed is an engine crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the third web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the second web. The engine also has a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the third eccentric journal; a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the second eccentric journal; and a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the third eccentric journal.
[0014] A two-module, internal combustion engine has a crankshaft with a left end piece; a left main journal adjacent to the left end piece; a left web adjacent to the left main journal; an alpha left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left web; a left wide web adjacent to the first left pullrod eccentric journal; a left pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left wide web; a left medium width web adjacent to the left pushrod eccentric journal; a left center main journal adjacent to the left medium width web; a left center web adjacent to the left center main journal; a beta left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left center web; a center web adjacent to the second left pullrod eccentric journal; a right end piece; a right main journal adjacent to the right end piece; a right web adjacent to the right main journal; an alpha right pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right web; a right wide web adjacent to the first right pullrod eccentric journal; a right pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right wide web; a right medium width web adjacent to the right pushrod eccentric journal; a right center main journal adjacent to the right medium width web; a right center web adjacent to the right center main journal; and a beta right pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right center web and the center web. The engine further includes a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder; a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal; a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal; a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal; a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal; a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal; a third cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft; a fourth cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the third cylinder with respect to the crankshaft; a third inner piston and a third outer piston disposed in the third cylinder; a fourth inner piston and a fourth outer piston disposed in the fourth cylinder; a third pushrod coupled between the third inner piston and the right pushrod eccentric journal; a fourth pushrod coupled between the fourth inner piston and the right pushrod eccentric journal; a fifth pullrod coupled between the third outer piston and the alpha right pullrod eccentric journal; a sixth pullrod coupled between the third outer piston and the beta right pullrod eccentric journal; a seventh pullrod coupled between the fourth outer piston and the alpha right pullrod eccentric journal; and an eighth pullrod coupled between the fourth outer piston and the beta right pullrod eccentric journal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] This disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying Figures. Where considered appropriate, reference labels have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. [0016] Figure 1 A is an illustration of a three-module OPOC engine in which three single OPOC engines are coupled together by one embodiment of a crankshaft.
[0017] Figure 1 B is an illustration of another embodiment of a crankshaft which may be used to couple three single OPOC engines together.
[0018] Figure 1 C is an illustration of yet another embodiment of a crankshaft which may be used to couple three single OPOC engines together.
[0019] Figure 2 is an illustration of still another crankshaft which may be used to couple three OPOC engines together.
[0020] Figure 3 is an illustration of an end view of the crankshaft of Figure 2.
[0021] Figures 4-5 are phasing illustrations of three-module OPOC engines.
[0022] Figures 6-7 are phasing illustrations of two-module OPOC engines.
[0023] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an engine in which three single
OPOC engines are coupled together using the crankshaft of Figure 1 C.
[0024] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an engine in which three OPOC engines are coupled together using the crankshaft of Figure 2.
[0025] Figures 10 and 1 1 are illustrations of a built-up crankshaft in an
assembled view and a disassembled view, respectively.
[0026] Figure 12 is an illustration of fork-and-blade pushrods.
[0027] Figure 13 is an illustration of a crankshaft for a two-module OPOC engine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives consistent with the present disclosure and the appended claims.
[0029] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "an example embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may or may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Further still, it is contemplated that any single feature, structure or characteristic disclosed herein may be combined with any one or more other disclosed feature, structure or characteristic, whether or not explicitly described, and that no limitations on the types and/or number of such combinations should therefore be inferred.
[0030] In Figure 1 A, a three-module OPOC engine is illustrated. Prior to discussing the three modules, a single module OPOC engine 10 is discussed. The engine block, including the cylinders, is not shown in Figure 1 A to facilitate viewing of the various moving parts therein. A crankshaft 20 has main bearings 24 that are situated on outer edges of the portion of crankshaft 20 associated with OPOC engine module 10. Crankshaft 20 rotates about a central axis 21. A central axis of main bearings 24 is collinear with central axis 21 , and is therefore represented in Figure 1A by the central axis 21 . In each of two opposing cylinders of the OPOC engine module 10 (cylinders not shown in Figure 1 A) arranged on either side of crankshaft 20 are inner pistons 12 and outer pistons 14. The inner pistons 12 are each coupled to crankshaft 20 via a pushrod 16. The outer pistons are each coupled to crankshaft 20 via a pair of pullrods 18. Each set of pullrods 18 couple to a corresponding piston 14 via a bridge 22.
[0031] In engine module 10, the two pushrods 16 both couple to a single eccentric journal of crankshaft 20. The eccentric journal itself is not visible in Figure 1A; however, between pushrods 16, a small portion of a bearing 26 riding on this journal is visible. Similarly, each opposing pair of pullrods 18 couple to a different, single eccentric journal of the crankshaft 20 and, although such eccentric journals are not visible in Figure 1 A, a small portion of a bearing 27 riding on each such eccentric journal can be seen between each opposing pair of pullrods 18.
[0032] Between the each of the eccentric journals associated with pullrods 18 of OPOC engine module 10 and the eccentric journal for the pushrods 16 are webs 28 defined on the crankshaft 20. The webs 28 each illustratively have substantial width due to the pullrods 18 being situated outside of the cylinder.
[0033] In Figure 1 A, three of the OPOC engine modules 10 described above are coupled together via the crankshaft 20 to form a three-module OPOC engine 30 in which the crankshaft 20 includes the features described above for each of the three engine modules. As shown in Figure 1 A, the three OPOC engine modules are shown with the same phase such that the pistons 12, 14 in each of the engine modules are in the same position. It is desirable in some alternate embodiments to evenly phase the modules so that they are 120 degrees offset relative to each other. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 A, the crankshaft 20 includes two main bearings 24 between each adjacent engine module for a total of six main bearings 24.
[0034] In some alternate embodiments, the three-module OPOC engine 30 may be made more compact by reducing the number of main bearings on the crankshaft between either or both of the adjacent engine modules. Referring to Figure 1 B, for example, another embodiment of a crankshaft 40 for a three-module OPOC engine is shown which includes five main bearings 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft 40 includes end pieces 42, webs 44 on either side of each of six separate pullrod eccentric journals 46 and webs 28 on either side of each three separate pushrod eccentric journals 48, all arranged as described with respect to Figure 1 A. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 B, however, the crankshaft 40 includes main bearings 24 adjacent each end piece 42, two main bearings 24 between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of one adjacent set of engine modules (i.e., left of center in FIG. 1 B) and only a single main bearing 24 between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of the other adjacent set of engine modules. It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 B represents a specific embodiment in which the crankshaft 40 also includes a clutch 45 positioned between the two main bearings 24 located between the pullrod eccentric journals 46 of the one adjacent set of engine modules.
[0035] Referring to Figure 1 C, yet another embodiment of a crankshaft 50 for a three-module OPOC engine is shown which includes four main bearings 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft 50 is similarly as described with respect to the crankshaft 40 of Figure 1 B except that the crankshaft 50 includes only a single main bearing 24 between each adjacent set of engine modules. Illustratively, each of the crankshafts 40 and 50 illustrated in Figures 1 B and 1 C are arranged such that each of the three sets of eccentric journals, i.e., each set comprising a pair of pullrod eccentric journals 46 and pushrod eccentric journal 48 of a different one of the engine modules, is evenly phased relative to the others such that each set of eccentric journals is 120 degrees offset from each other. The main bearings 24 of each crankshaft 40 and 50 are arranged such that the central axis of each is aligned with those of the others as well as with the central axis 41 , 51 of the corresponding crankshaft 40, 50 respectively.
[0036] Referring now to Figure 2, a crankshaft 100 is shown for a three-module OPOC engine that is more compact than the configuration shown in Figures 1 A, 1 B and 1 C is shown. Crankshaft 100 rotates around a central axis 170. From left to right, crankshaft 100 has a first end piece 160, fifth main journal 156, thirteenth web 152, ninth eccentric journal 148, eleventh web 144, seventh eccentric journal 140, ninth web 136, third main journal 132, seventh web 128, fifth eccentric journal 124, fifth web 120, third eccentric journal 1 16, third web 1 12, first main journal 108, first web 104, first eccentric journal 102, second web 106, second main journal 1 10, fourth web 1 14, second eccentric journal 1 18, sixth web 122, fourth eccentric journal 126, eighth web 130, fourth main journal 134, tenth web 138, sixth eccentric journal 142, twelfth web 146, eighth eccentric journal 150, fourteenth web 154, sixth main journal 158, and second end piece 162. Figure 2 is a relatively complicated figure with many features separately identified. The names using ordinal numbers are not being used in their conventional sense, i.e., in order. Instead, the naming convention is applied in Figure 2 and used later on in the specification including the claims; but reference to the eleventh journal may precede the reference to the eighth journal, as an example. This shorthand convention obviates a cumbersome naming convention such as "left eccentric journal associated with the pullrod of the first module" and renaming the elements in the claims based on the order in which they are used.
[0037] In Figure 1 A, two main journals 24 are provided between each single OPOC engine module and the next adjacent engine module, in Figure 1 B two main journals 24 are provided between two adjacent sets of OPOC engine modules and one main journal 24 is provided between the other two adjacent sets OPOC engine modules, and in Figure 1 C one main journal 24 is provided between each adjacent set of OPC engine modules. The crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2, in contrast, has no main journals between adjacent OPOC engine modules 172 and 174 and no main journals between adjacent OPOC engine modules 174 and 176. Rather, main journals 108 and 1 10 associated with OPOC engine module 174 are inside eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18, i.e., the eccentric journals that are coupled with outer pistons (not shown) associated with OPOC engine module 174.
[0038] Outer OPOC engine modules 172 and 176 have one main journal 132 and 134, respectively, that are pulled inward toward their eccentric journals 140 and 142, respectively, that couple to the inner pistons. The outermost main journals 156 and 158, however, are displaced outwardly by wider webs 144 and 146 (i.e., wider relative to the webs 136 and 138), respectively, so that main journals 156 and 158 are proximate ends of crankshaft 100. Such a configuration allows for crankshaft 100 to be significantly shortened in the region between adjacent engine modules. At the end of module 172 distal from module 174 and at the end of module 176 distal from module 174, there is no reduction in crankshaft length. In an alternative embodiment, the main bearings at the ends of the crankshaft are inward of the outer eccentric journals. This leads to "flying" journals at the ends of the crankshaft.
[0039] An end view of crankshaft 100 is shown in Figure 3. The central axis through the crankshaft 100 is 170. First end piece 160 is visible with second end piece 162 in line with first end piece 160, and the second end piece 162 therefore is not visible in Figure 3. Main journals 108, 1 10, 132, 134, 156, and 158 have a central axis collinear with central axis 170 of crankshaft 100. The main journals could be of different diameters and width in alternative embodiments. Eccentric journals 102, 140, and 142 couple to inner pistons via pushrods. Eccentric journals 102, 140, and 142 are evenly distributed on crankshaft 100, i.e., with 120 degree spacing. The outer pistons each have two pullrods that couple to eccentric journal pairs (126 and 150), (1 16 and 1 18), and (124 and 148). Such pairs are also evenly spaced with 120 degree spacing but with a phase angle with respect to the associated pushrod journals.
[0040] In an OPOC engine, the phasing of the pistons in a particular engine module is not evenly phased, i.e., not 180 degrees apart. Instead, the exhaust piston is phased earlier than the intake piston so that the exhaust piston reaches its bottom end of travel before the intake piston (moving in the opposite direction as the exhaust piston) reaches its bottom end of travel. The exhaust piston uncovers the exhaust ports to allow exhaust blowdown before the intake piston uncovers the intake ports. This helps to prevent excessive exhaust back flow. In Figure 4, the inner pistons are intake pistons. 11 is the inner piston associated with module 1 . Its associated outer piston, i.e., opposed piston, is 01 . 01 is clocked closer to 11 than 180 degrees, with respect to the axis of rotation indicated by the arrow in Figure 4. If evenly spaced, 11 and 03 would be displaced by 60 degrees, but is instead something less than 60 degrees; and 03 to I2 is greater than 60 degrees. A typical offset from even spacing is about 15 crank angle degrees, but varies depending on size of the engine, port heights, scavenging apparatus, and many other factors. In Figure 4, with the outer pistons phased ahead of the inner pistons, the phase difference from an Ί" pistons to the next Ό" piston is less than the phase difference between the Ό" piston to the next Ί" piston, e.g., phase difference between 11 and 03 is less than the phase difference between 03 and I2. In Figure 5, a timing diagram for an engine in which the inner pistons are exhaust pistons is shown. In this case, the phase difference between 11 and the next one in the axis of rotation, 03, is greater than 60 crank angle degrees and the phase difference between 03 and I2 is less than 60 crank angle degrees, and so on e.g., phase difference between 11 and 03 is greater than the phase difference between 03 and I2.
[0041 ] As one non-limiting example, the eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18 in one embodiment of the engine module 174 are illustratively identically phased, and the eccentric journal 102 is offset by a phase angle with respect to each of the eccentric journals 1 16 and 1 18. In the direction of rotation of the crankshaft 100, this offset phase angle may be represented as 180 crank angle degrees plus a predetermine angle. The predetermined angle may illustratively be in the range of 5 to 40 crank angle degrees, or between -40 to -5 crank angle degrees, although other ranges of the predetermine angle are contemplated by this disclosure.
[0042] Web 152 is illustrated as circular in Figure 3. However, in other embodiments, web 152 is a different shape. Figures 3 and 4 are provided to indicate the relative phasing of the modules of the engine and relative phasing of the eccentric journals associated within a module, not to indicate anything about the relative diameters and shapes of the journals, webs, etc.
[0043] An illustration of phasing with a two-module engine variant is shown in Figures 6 and 7. Module 1 and Module 2 are 180 degrees out of phase. Thus, 11 and I2, i.e., the timing of the inner pistons in the two modules are opposite each other. In Figure 6, which is indicative of an engine in which the exhaust pistons are outer pistons, 01 occurs ahead of the 180 degree phasing. Figure 7 illustrates the situation in which the inner pistons are exhaust pistons. The present disclosure applies to four-module variants in which the engine modules are phased 90 degree apart. The present disclosure applies to any number of modules coupled together along the crankshaft.
[0044] In Figure 8, a three-module OPOC engine 200, shown in cross section, illustratively utilizes the crankshaft 50 shown in FIG. 1 C such that each of four main journals 24 are located outside of the projection of cylinder walls 204 of each of three engine modules 206, 208, 210. Pullrods 218a, - 218f are each housed within a corresponding tunnel 216a - 216f, respectively. In engine module 210, the outer piston in the left-hand cylinder 204 is in its top dead center position and the outer piston in the right-hand cylinder 204 is in its bottom dead center position. Thus, in this position, the cross-sectional view cuts through the entirety of each pullrod 218a, 218b. In engine module 208, the pistons are at an intermediate position such that the pullrods 218c, 218d are tilted at an angle. Thus, only a portion of each pullrod 218c, 218d is shown in the view illustrated in Figure 8. It should be noted that adjacent tunnels 216b, 216c and 216d, 216e that house pullrods 218b, 218c and 218d, 218e respectively are spaced apart from each other due to the main bearing 24 positioned between each adjacent set of engine modules 210, 208 and 208, 206 respectively. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the adjacent tunnels 216b, 216c and 216d, 216e are each individual and separate tunnel structures.
[0045] In Figure 9, another three-module OPOC engine 300, shown in cross section, illustratively utilizes the compact crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2. With the crankshaft 100, each of the four inner main journals 108, 1 10, 132 and 134 are located within the projection of an associated one of the cylinder walls 304, thereby allowing the cylinder walls 304 of each of the engine modules 306, 308, 310 to be positioned more closely together in the transverse direction than in the OPOC engine 200 illustrated in Figure 8. The two remaining (outer) main journals 156 and 158 are located outside the projections of the cylinder walls 304.
[0046] Because no main bearings are located between the cylinder bores or walls 304 of the adjacent engine modules 306, 308 and 308, 310, adjacent pullrods need not each be housed in a different tunnel, but rather can be housed together within a single, shared tunnel. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, single pullrod tunnels 316a and 316d each house a single pullrod 318a and 318f respectively, whereas a double pullrod tunnel 316b houses both of the pullrods 318b and 318c and another double pullrod tunnel 316c houses both of the pullrods 318d and 318e. An issue that can be presented by a pullrod reciprocating within a tunnel is that gases are pumped back and forth, and techniques have been developed to manage pressure build up therein. With two pullrods within a single tunnel operating at a different phase, however, issues with gas pumping and potential pressure build up are at least partially mitigated.
[0047] In Figure 9, an axis of rotation 350 of crankshaft 100 is shown
perpendicular to a central axis 352 of cylinders 304.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 10, another embodiment of a crankshaft 400 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, crankshaft 400 is manufactured in several sections and then built up from such sections. It is useful to have access to the eccentric journals to slide a one-piece cylindrical bearing, with the pullrods or pushrods coupled thereto, e.g., without screws, over and onto such journals. In this regard, Figure 12 illustrates a fork-and-blade 350 example combination of pushrods 352, 354. Referring to Figure 12, pushrod 352 has forks 356 and pushrod 354 has a blade 358, and the blade 358 nests with the forks 358 as shown. A sleeve bearing 360 is illustratively provided to couple the forks 356 and blade 354 together. Typically, bearings in engines and their associated connecting rods are split so that they can be assembled onto crankshaft journals in a unitary crankshaft. However, a built-up crankshaft, such as the crankshaft 400 illustrated in Figure 10, allows for the installation of a pre-assembled fork-and blade structure 350 in which the pushrods are not cracked and the bearing may be a one-piece ring. [0049] Referring now to Figure 1 1 , the crankshaft 400 includes separate sections a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, and k to be assembled to produce the assembled version of the crankshaft 400 illustrated in Figure 10. Eccentric journal 402 illustratively has a pin 404 extending outwardly that engages with opening 406 in web 408 using a press fit or any suitable method such as spines, keys, etc. Similarly, along the length of crankshaft 400, eccentric journals have pins extending outwardly to engage with openings in webs.
[0050] The main journals, such as 410, may also have pins extending therefrom to engage with the adjacent web. However, it is well-known and well-developed to use a split bearing for main bearings, and such structures may illustratively be used in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, crankshaft 400 may be made of more sections to provide for accessibility of main journals to allow assembling of sleeve bearings onto the main journals.
[0051] Section f includes an eccentric journal and pins extending out of each end of the journal to engage with openings in the webs on either side of the eccentric journal. In yet another embodiment, eccentric journals associated with the pushrods may be integral with the two adjacent webs which requires a split bearing and prohibits fork-and-blade pushrods. In such an embodiment, however, the number of individual sections is reduced from the eleven sections shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 1 .
[0052] The crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2 has a left module 172 and a right module 176 that are substantially mirror images of each other. The end pieces 160 and 162 may, in alternative embodiments, be different from each other to thereby provide for attachment of the crankshaft 100 to different pieces at each end. In an alternate embodiment a crankshaft for a four-module engine may, for example, include two of center modules 174 sandwiched between left and right modules 172 and 176.
[0053] Referring now to Figure 13, an embodiment is shown of a crankshaft 500 for a two-module version of the engine 200 illustrated in Figure 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the crankshaft 500 is essentially the same as crankshaft 100 illustrated in Figure 2, except that the center portion 174 is omitted and the end portions 172 and 176 are joined together. The crankshaft 500 in Figure 13 illustratively has, from left to center, a left end piece 502, a left main journal 504, a left web 506, an alpha left pullrod eccentric journal 508, a left wide web 510, a left pushrod eccentric journal 512, a left medium width web 514, a left center main journal 518, a left center web 518, a beta left pullrod eccentric journal 520, and a center web 522. Starting now from the right to center, the crankshaft 500 has a right end piece 542, a right main journal 540, a right web 538, an alpha right pullrod eccentric journal 536, a right wide web 534, a right pushrod eccentric journal 532, a right medium width web 530, a right center main journal 528, a right center web 526, a beta right pullrod eccentric journal 524, and the center web 522. In the resulting two-module engine, only the pullrods associated with journals 520 and 524 would adjacent to each other such that they could be housed together in one double pullrod tunnel. Such a two-module engine may be similar to the engine 300 illustrated in Figure 9 with the module 308 omitted such that only the modules 306 and 310 would be coupled together.
[0054] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications consistent with the disclosure and recited claims are desired to be protected. For example, it will be understood that while the concepts illustrated and described herein have been presented in the context of an opposed piston, opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine, such concepts are also directly applicable to opposed piston (OP) engines. Those skilled in the art will accordingly understand that one or more of the compact crankshaft embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings and described in detail hereinabove may be readily adapted to an OP type of engine without undue experimentation.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1 . An internal combustion engine, comprising:
a crankshaft having: an axis of rotation, a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web wherein the second and third eccentric journals are identically phased; and the first eccentric journal has an offset phase angle with respect to the second and third eccentric journals.
2. The engine of claim 1 wherein the crankshaft has a direction of rotation in operation in the engine; the offset phase angle with respect to the second and third eccentric journals is 180 crank angle degrees plus a predetermined angle.
3. The engine of claim 1 wherein the predetermined angle is one of:
5 to 40 crank angle degrees; and
-40 to -5 crank angle degrees.
4. The engine of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft;
a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal;
a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second journal;
a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third journal;
a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder;
a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder; a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal; a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder;
a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second journal; and a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third journal.
5. The engine of claim 1 wherein the crankshaft further comprises:
a sixth web adjacent to the second eccentric journal;
a fourth eccentric journal adjacent to the sixth web;
an eighth web adjacent to the fourth eccentric journal;
a fourth main journal adjacent to the eighth web;
a tenth web adjacent to the fourth main journal;
a sixth eccentric journal adjacent to the tenth web;
a twelfth web adjacent to the sixth eccentric journal;
an eighth eccentric journal adjacent to the twelfth web;
a fourteenth web adjacent to the eighth eccentric journal;
a sixth main journal adjacent the fourteenth web;
a second end piece adjacent the sixth main journal;
a fifth web adjacent to the first eccentric journal;
a third eccentric journal adjacent to the fifth web;
a seventh web adjacent to the third eccentric journal;
a third main journal adjacent to the seventh web;
a ninth web adjacent to the third main journal;
a fifth eccentric journal adjacent to the ninth web;
an eleventh web adjacent to the fifth eccentric journal;
a seventh eccentric journal adjacent to the eleventh web;
a thirteenth web adjacent to the seventh eccentric journal;
a fifth main journal adjacent the thirteenth web; and
a first end piece adjacent the fifth main journal.
6. The engine of claim 5, further comprising:
a first cylinder proximate the crankshaft; a first inner piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a first pushrod coupling the first inner piston to the first eccentric journal;
a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a first pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the second eccentric journal;
a second pullrod coupling the first outer piston to the third eccentric journal; a second cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder;
a second inner piston disposed in the second cylinder;
a second pushrod coupling the second inner piston to the first eccentric journal; a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder;
a third pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the second eccentric journal; a fourth pullrod coupling the second outer piston to the third eccentric journal; a third cylinder proximate the crankshaft;
a third inner piston disposed in the third cylinder;
a third pushrod coupling the third inner piston to the seventh eccentric journal; a third outer piston disposed in the third cylinder;
a fifth pullrod coupling the third outer piston to the fifth eccentric journal;
a sixth pullrod coupling the third outer piston to the ninth eccentric journal;
a fourth cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the third cylinder;
a fourth inner piston disposed in the fourth cylinder;
a fourth pushrod coupling the fourth inner piston to the seventh eccentric journal; a fourth outer piston disposed in the fourth cylinder;
a seventh pullrod coupling the fourth outer piston to the fifth eccentric journal; an eighth pullrod coupling the fourth outer piston to the ninth eccentric journal; a fifth cylinder proximate the crankshaft;
a fifth inner piston disposed in the fifth cylinder;
a fifth pushrod coupling the fifth inner piston to the sixth eccentric journal;
a fifth outer piston disposed in the fifth cylinder;
a ninth pullrod coupling the fifth outer piston to the fourth eccentric journal;
a tenth pullrod coupling the fifth outer piston to the eighth eccentric journal; a sixth cylinder disposed proximate the crankshaft and located opposite the fifth cylinder;
a sixth inner piston disposed in the sixth cylinder;
a sixth pushrod coupling the sixth inner piston to the sixth eccentric journal; a sixth outer piston disposed in the sixth cylinder;
an eleventh pullrod coupling the sixth outer piston to the fourth eccentric journal; and
a twelfth pullrod coupling the sixth outer piston to the eighth eccentric journal.
7. The engine of claim 5 wherein the crankshaft is comprised of multiple, independently manufactured sections:
a first outer section that includes at least: the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web;
a second outer section that includes at least: the second end piece, the sixth main journal, and the fourteenth web;
a central section that includes at least the first eccentric journal;
a first inner section that includes at least: the fifth eccentric journal; and a second inner section that includes at least: the fourth eccentric journal.
8. The engine of claim 5 wherein the crankshaft is comprised of multiple, independently manufactured sections:
an a section that includes: the first end piece, the fifth main journal, and the thirteenth web;
a b section that includes the eleventh web;
a c section that includes the ninth web, the third main journal, and the seventh web;
a d section that includes the fifth web;
an e section that includes the third web, the first main journal, and the first web; a f section that includes the second web, the second main journal, and the fourth web;
a g section that includes the sixth web; a h section that includes the eighth web, the fourth main journal, and the tenth web;
a i section that includes: the twelfth web; and
a j section that includes the fourteenth web, the six main journal, and the second end piece.
9. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
a crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a second main journal adjacent to the second web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a fourth web adjacent to the second main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the fourth web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the third web;
a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft;
a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft;
a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal;
a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal;
a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal;
a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the third eccentric journal;
a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the second eccentric journal; and
a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the third eccentric journal.
10. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
a crankshaft having: a first eccentric journal, a first web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a second web adjacent to the first eccentric journal, a first main journal adjacent to the first web, a third web adjacent to the first main journal, a second eccentric journal adjacent to the third web, and a third eccentric journal adjacent to the second web;
a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft;
a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft;
a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the first eccentric journal;
a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the first eccentric journal;
a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the second eccentric journal;
a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the third eccentric journal;
a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the second eccentric journal; and
a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the third eccentric journal.
1 1. An internal combustion engine, comprising:
a crankshaft including:
a left end piece;
a left main journal adjacent to the left end piece;
a left web adjacent to the left main journal;
an alpha left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left web; a left wide web adjacent to the first left pullrod eccentric journal; a left pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left wide web; a left medium width web adjacent to the left pushrod eccentric journal; a left center main journal adjacent to the left medium width web;
a left center web adjacent to the left center main journal;
a beta left pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the left center web;
a center web adjacent to the second left pullrod eccentric journal;
a right end piece;
a right main journal adjacent to the right end piece;
a right web adjacent to the right main journal;
an alpha right pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right web;
a right wide web adjacent to the first right pullrod eccentric journal;
a right pushrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right wide web;
a right medium width web adjacent to the right pushrod eccentric journal; a right center main journal adjacent to the right medium width web;
a right center web adjacent to the right center main journal; and a beta right pullrod eccentric journal adjacent to the right center web and the center web.
12. The engine of claim 1 1 , further comprising:
a first cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft;
a second cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the first cylinder with respect to the crankshaft;
a first inner piston and a first outer piston disposed in the first cylinder;
a second inner piston and a second outer piston disposed in the second cylinder; a first pushrod coupled between the first inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal;
a second pushrod coupled between the second inner piston and the left pushrod eccentric journal;
a first pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal; a second pullrod coupled between the first outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal;
a third pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the alpha left pullrod eccentric journal;
a fourth pullrod coupled between the second outer piston and the beta left pullrod eccentric journal;
a third cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft;
a fourth cylinder wall adjacent to the crankshaft and located opposite the third cylinder with respect to the crankshaft;
a third inner piston and a third outer piston disposed in the third cylinder;
a fourth inner piston and a fourth outer piston disposed in the fourth cylinder; a third pushrod coupled between the third inner piston and the right pushrod eccentric journal;
a fourth pushrod coupled between the fourth inner piston and the right pushrod eccentric journal;
a fifth pullrod coupled between the third outer piston and the alpha right pullrod eccentric journal;
a sixth pullrod coupled between the third outer piston and the beta right pullrod eccentric journal;
a seventh pullrod coupled between the fourth outer piston and the alpha right pullrod eccentric journal; and
an eighth pullrod coupled between the fourth outer piston and the beta right pullrod eccentric journal.
Figure imgf000026_0001
Figure imgf000027_0001
Figure imgf000028_0001
Figure imgf000029_0001
Figure imgf000030_0001
Figure imgf000031_0001
Figure imgf000032_0001
PCT/US2016/016088 2015-02-03 2016-02-02 A compact multi-module, opposed piston opposed cylinder engine WO2016126655A1 (en)

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6170443B1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2001-01-09 Edward Mayer Halimi Internal combustion engine with a single crankshaft and having opposed cylinders with opposed pistons
US6427657B1 (en) * 2001-04-17 2002-08-06 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device
US7469664B2 (en) * 2003-06-25 2008-12-30 Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc. Internal combustion engine
US8127736B2 (en) * 2008-05-09 2012-03-06 Hyundai Motor Company Balancing assembly of an engine
US20130098328A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-04-25 Ecomotors, Inc. Balancing an Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Cylinder Engine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6170443B1 (en) * 1998-09-11 2001-01-09 Edward Mayer Halimi Internal combustion engine with a single crankshaft and having opposed cylinders with opposed pistons
US6427657B1 (en) * 2001-04-17 2002-08-06 Teledyne Technologies Incorporated Engine balance apparatus and accessory drive device
US7469664B2 (en) * 2003-06-25 2008-12-30 Advanced Propulsion Technologies, Inc. Internal combustion engine
US8127736B2 (en) * 2008-05-09 2012-03-06 Hyundai Motor Company Balancing assembly of an engine
US20130098328A1 (en) * 2011-10-20 2013-04-25 Ecomotors, Inc. Balancing an Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Cylinder Engine

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