Crankless reciprocating machine
First Claim
1. A crankless reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, two opposed pistons arranged to reciprocate in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, the pistons defining a common combustion chamber therebetween, a main shaft disposed parallel to, and spaced from, the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, two axially spaced, endless, substantially sinusoidal tracks carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, said tracks being interconnected with said pistons so that reciprocation of the pistons imparts rotary motion to the main shaft, characterized in that said substantially sinusoidal tracks are axially spaced from each cylinder and each comprises a radially extending flange contoured in an axial direction to define the endless, substantially sinusoidal track, the radially extending faces of the flange forming opposed, axially facing, endless, substantially sinusoidal cam surfaces, a connecting rod connected at one end to each piston, bearing means carried toward the other end of said connecting rod, said bearing means abutting each of the two opposed axially facing cam surfaces, and further characterized in that the main shaft is hollow, an output shaft located within the hollow main shaft, and a clutch for conveying drive from the main shaft to the output shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The machine (e.g. an internal combustion engine or pump) has at least one cylinder 4 housing two opposed pistons 5 adapted to reciprocate in opposite directions and a common working chamber 13. A main shaft 1 carries two contoured tracks 3 each having opposed, axially facing, endless, substantially sinusoidal cam surfaces. Bearings 8 and 9 mounted on connecting rod 6 abut the cam surfaces so that reciprocation of pistons 5 imparts rotary motion to main shaft 1, or vice versa.
30 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A crankless reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, two opposed pistons arranged to reciprocate in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, the pistons defining a common combustion chamber therebetween, a main shaft disposed parallel to, and spaced from, the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, two axially spaced, endless, substantially sinusoidal tracks carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, said tracks being interconnected with said pistons so that reciprocation of the pistons imparts rotary motion to the main shaft, characterized in that said substantially sinusoidal tracks are axially spaced from each cylinder and each comprises a radially extending flange contoured in an axial direction to define the endless, substantially sinusoidal track, the radially extending faces of the flange forming opposed, axially facing, endless, substantially sinusoidal cam surfaces, a connecting rod connected at one end to each piston, bearing means carried toward the other end of said connecting rod, said bearing means abutting each of the two opposed axially facing cam surfaces, and further characterized in that the main shaft is hollow, an output shaft located within the hollow main shaft, and a clutch for conveying drive from the main shaft to the output shaft.
- 2. A crankless reciprocating internal combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder, two opposed pistons arranged to reciprocate in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, the pistons defining a common combustion chamber therebetween, a main shaft disposed parallel to, and spaced from, the longitudinal axis of each cylinder, two axially spaced, endless, substantially sinusoidal tracks carried by the main shaft for rotation therewith, said tracks being interconnected with said pistons so that reciprocation of the pistons imparts rotary motion to the main shaft, characterised in that said substantially sinusoidal tracks are axially spaced from each cylinder and each comprises a radially extending flange contoured in an axial direction to define the endless, substantially sinusoidal track, the radially extending faces of the flange forming opposed, axially facing, endless, substantially sinusoidal cam surfaces, a connecting rod connected at one end to each piston, bearing means carried toward the other end of said connecting rod, said bearing means abutting each of the two opposed axially facing cam surfaces, and further comprising a fuel rich chamber in communication with the common combustion chamber and an ignition device located in the fuel rich chamber.
Specification