INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

• US 20180051563A1
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Published: 02/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johann Schwoller
• Original Assignee: Johann Schwoller
• Inventors: SCHWLLER, Johann
• Granted Patent: US 10,837,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 1/04 with cylinders in V-arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 1/12 Separate cylinder-crankcase elements coupled together to form a unit
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 21/02 the machines or engines being all of reciprocating-piston type
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 73/00 Combinations of two or more engines, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/22 with cylinders in V, fan, or star arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/0012 Crankcases of V-engines
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/0031 Construction kit principle (modular engines)

Abstract

An internal combustion engine according to the invention comprises at least two engine blocks which are coupled to one another and each of which includes at least two cylinders, each cylinder being connected to a common drive shaft via a transmission and a clutch. If there is a problem with one engine block, same can be disconnected from the drive shaft so that the engine can continue to operate by means of the other engine block.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine, comprising

at least two engine blocks which are coupled to one another and each of which includes at least one, preferably two, cylinders, each cylinder being connected to a common drive shaft via a transmission and a clutch.

2. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the two engine blocks are designed in a V-shape such that the cylinder heads are arranged in a V-shape and that the drive shaft is arranged in the region of the V-clearance between the cylinder heads.

3. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

each engine block comprises a crankshaft.

4. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the clutches are adapted such that they allow for coupling the (respective) crankshaft to the drive shaft only in one single angular position.

5. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the clutches are designed as claw clutches.

6. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the engine comprises a bottom-mounted camshaft.

7. The internal combustion engine according to claim 6,

wherein

a means for decoupling rocker arms and tappets is provided such as to allow for switching off cylinders.

8. The internal combustion engine according to claim 2,

wherein

a water cooling means for cooling the cylinder heads is provided, wherein the drive shaft has at least one centrifugal fan, which is also adapted for additionally cooling the cylinders, arranged thereon.

9. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the engine blocks each comprise at least four, six or more cylinders.

10. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

the internal combustion engine also comprises an electric drive, thus being adapted as a hybrid drive.

11. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1,

wherein

operating condition sensors for detecting the operating conditions of the engine blocks are provided.

12. The internal combustion engine according to claim 11,

wherein

the operating condition sensors generate a signal or are coupled to a controller which disconnects one engine block that is not running or only partially running from the drive shaft by decoupling it.

17. The internal combustion engine according to claim 2,

wherein

each engine block comprises a crankshaft.

13. An intermediate plate for connecting at least two engine blocks of an engine, wherein the intermediate plate is a plate-shaped component, wherein the intermediate plate also comprises at least one bearing borehole for receiving at least one bearing of a crankshaft.

14. The intermediate plate according to claim 13,

wherein

the bearing borehole is adapted for coaxially bearing two crankshafts.

15. The intermediate plate according to claim 13,

wherein

the intermediate plate comprises two sealing faces adapted for respectively sealing one side of the engine blocks.

16. The intermediate plate according to claim 13,

wherein

the intermediate plate is adapted for receiving the gear transmissions and/or the camshaft drives.

18. The intermediate plate according to claim 14,

wherein

the intermediate plate comprises two sealing faces adapted for respectively sealing one side of the engine blocks.

19. An internal combustion engine, comprising

at least two engine blocks which are coupled to one another and each of which includes at least one cylinder, each cylinder being connected to a common drive shaft via a transmission and a clutch.