Adiabatic, two-stroke cycle engine having novel scavenge compressor arrangement

• US 6,279,520 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alvin Lowi Jr
• Original Assignee: Alvin Lowi Jr
• Inventors: Lowi, Alvin Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCMAHON, MARGUERITE J
• Application Number:
  US09/617,737
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 123/53.6, 123/56-- 5
• US Class Current: 123/56.1
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 3/045 by two or more curved surfaces, e.g. for two or more pistons in one cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 7/02 with oppositely reciprocating pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 7/14 acting on different main shafts
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 2075/025 two

Abstract

An engine structure and mechanism that operates on various combustion processes in a two-stroke-cycle without supplemental cooling or lubrication comprises an axial assembly of cylindrical modules and twin, double-harmonic cams that operate with opposed pistons in each cylinder through fully captured rolling contact bearings. The opposed pistons are double-acting, performing a two-stroke engine power cycle on facing ends and induction and scavenge air compression on their outside ends, all within the same cylinder bore. The engine includes a novel compressor arrangement having an intake valve comprising a V-shaped double reed valve with an apex pointing toward the intake port and an exhaust valve having a V-shaped double reed valve with an apex pointing away from the exhaust port. The compressor arrangement may further include rectangular intake and exhaust ports, a rectangular piston rod and rectangular crosshead bearings.

Claims

1. A compressor arrangement comprising:

a cylinder crosshead having an intake port and an exhaust port;

an intake valve comprising a V-shaped double reed valve having an apex pointing toward said intake port; and

an exhaust valve comprising a V-shaped double reed valve having an apex pointing away from said exhaust port.

2. The compressor arrangement of claim 1 wherein each of said reed valves are formed from a thin metallic sheet of suitable spring material into a V-shaped structure having a pair of tips at its end and a radius at the apex.

3. The compressor arrangement of claim 2 wherein said ports each comprise a rectangular-section channel in said cylinder crosshead, said channels comprising a first pair of channel walls and said reed valves are each closely fitted into one of each of said rectangular-section channels such that said tips are pre-loaded outwardly against said first pair of said channel walls.

4. The compressor arrangement of claim 3 wherein said channels further comprise a second pair of channel walls and said reed valves have reed width edges which conform to said second pair of channel walls with a close, sliding fit.

5. The compressor arrangement of claim 3 wherein said reed valves are captured with a sliding fit within said channels by pins and bars.

6. The compressor arrangement of claim 1 wherein said ports have a width that is somewhat greater than the height.

7. The compressor arrangement of claim 6 further comprising a rectangular piston rod and rectangular piston rod crosshead bearing members.

8. The compressor arrangement of claim 7 wherein said rectangular crosshead bearing members comprise floating brushes in contact with the narrow side of the rectangular piston rod.

9. The compressor arrangement of claim 8 wherein said brushes are adjustable and easily replaceable.

10. The compressor arrangement of claim 8 wherein said brushes are made of strong, low-friction, self-lubricating materials.

11. The compressor arrangement of claim 10 wherein said brushes are made of polycrystalline graphite.

12. The compressor arrangement of claim 10 wherein said brushes are made of Molalloy™

.

13. The compressor arrangement of claim 10 wherein said brushes are made of gray cast iron.

14. The compressor arrangement of claim 10 wherein said brushes are made of aluminum bronze.

15. The compressor arrangement of claim 8 wherein said floating brushes are captured axially and tangentially between end plates and side plates and may be supported radially by pre-loaded plates that provide running adjustment for wear thereby avoiding the development of excessive clearances.

16. The compressor arrangement of claim 15 wherein said pre-loaded plates further comprise compression springs.

17. The compressor arrangement of claim 15 wherein said pre-loaded plates further comprise hydraulic pistons which bear on said pre-loaded plates.

18. The compressor arrangement of claim 17 wherein said hydraulic pistons further comprise oil supply passages having check valves.

19. The compressor arrangement of claim 18 further comprising a means for leaking oil from said oil supply passages to said crosshead bearing members to provide lubrication and cooling.

20. The compressor arrangement of claim 1 wherein said valves are constructed of lightweight, heat-and-corrosion-resistant, high-fatigue-life, low-elastic-modulus wrought alloys.

21. The compressor arrangement of claim 20 wherein said valves are constructed of titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

22. The compressor arrangement of claim 20 wherein said valves are constructed of ASTM B194 beryllium/copper.