EP1437482B1

EP1437482B1 - Opposed pistons engine in only one rotating cylinder

Info

Publication number: EP1437482B1
Application number: EP04425003A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gaetano Capossela
Original assignee: Capossela Davide; Capossela Domenico
Current assignee: Capossela Davide; Capossela Domenico
Priority date: 2003-01-07
Filing date: 2004-01-07
Publication date: 2006-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-07
Also published as: EP1437482A1; DE602004000865T2; ITSA20030001A1; DE602004000865D1; ATE326616T1

Abstract

The engine has opposed pistons with upper sides joined in a single chamber of combustion, where the pistons move rectilinearly, synchronized with an internal cylinder (3). The cylinder has rotational movement with holes along its surface, to originate, by an external cylinder (7) provided with holes, a classical inlet, compression, firing and expansion-exhaust strokes, and washing stroke in only two strokes.

Description

Technical field

Object of the present invention is a special alternative engine that uses opposed pistons in a single cylinder. Where the pistons move rectilinearly, synchronized with the same cylinder that has rotational movement and equipped with holes along its surface, to originate, by an external cylinder also provided with holes the classical 5 working phases : inlet, compression, firing, expansion-exhaust, and anymore scavenging, in only two strokes.

State of the art

This engine with opposed pistons is well known in the technique and it has been object of a first Italian patent N. 01270326, by the same applicant, in association with others.
Further improvements have been described in a following Italian patent application NA99A000020 wherein, instead of the first Italian patent N. 01270326, the pistons having remarkable difference in that the top surface is plane and the upper side diagonally cut, to create an elliptic surface perfectly plane; it is, moreover, a mechanism that allows the rotation of the pistons while they move in the cylinder.
Although this invention gives remarkable advantages, however it allows many complications in the construction. The patent US 5351657 discloses an alternative engine with rotary piston(s). The subject of this invention is a compact device which may be described as rotary, in that the piston(s), cylinder sleeve, and output shaft or gear (which may be part of or directly coupled to the cylinder) all rotate around a common axis within the bore of a housing. The rotating cylinder also functions as a sleeve valve, covering and uncovering ports in the surrounding housing which contains the cylinder and the piston(s) within it. The reciprocating motion of the pistons is converted to rotary motion by the action of cam followers on annular cams which are also concentric to the axis of the device.
In the EP 1355053 shows also an alternative two strokes engine with oppose pistons in a single chamber having a rotating cylinder. The rotary piston engine has a control mechanism whereby each piston while rotating executes a linear movement to periodically increase and decrease the chamber allocated to the respective piston. The linear movement of a piston is carried out parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the engine casing, and the piston with regard to this axis is installed eccentrically. At least one additional rotating piston is installed on the side opposite the first with regard to the longitudinal center axis of the casing.

Scope and advantages of the invention

Scope of the present invention is the realization of an engine that joins in itself characteristics of extreme constructive simplicity, functionality and sturdiness, offering the widest guarantee of reliability and safety in the use, besides facility of maintenance and therefore competitive costs in comparison to the preceding engines.
Other scope of the present invention in accordo con quello precedente is the realization of an engine that allows advantages in flexibility of applications and use, from the small motorcycle to the ship, from the chain saw to the tractor, from the compressor to the airplane; can be realized also compressors for liquids and gases.
The tasks and the scopes above mentioned, and others that will be better pointed out later, are reached by an alternative engine with opposed pistons having the upper sides joined in a single chamber of combustion, in that the pistons move rectilinearly, synchronized with the internal cylinder which has rotational movement and is equipped with seven holes placed symmetrically and diagonally, along on axis and stappered in circumferential direction its surface, to originate, with an external cylinder also provided with seven holes placed linearly, the classical working phases : inlet compression, firing, expansion-exhaust, and scavenging, within only two strokes.

Description of the drawings and way of realizing the invention

These and others characteristics, as well as advantages, will result more clear from the following description and from the enclosed drawings and illustrations, furnished to only indicative and not limitative purpose, in which:

the fig. 1 and 2 schematically show, in a general sectional view, the various working phases of the motor;
the fig. 3 and 4 schematically show, in a sectional view, the position of the various holes on the rotating cylinder and the angular strokes, in degree, beginning from the top dead centre;
the fig. 5 schematically shows, in a lateral sectional view, the position of both the internal and external cylinder during the firing stroke A;
the fig. 6 shows, in a plan view, the alignment of the corresponding holes among the internal cylinder a1) and the external cylinder f) to originate the port for the sparking plug;
the fig. 7 schematically shows, in a lateral sectional view, the position of both the internal and external cylinder during the expansion-exhaust stroke B;
the fig. 8 shows, in a plan view, the alignment of the corresponding holes among the internal cylinder b1) and the external cylinder f) to originate the exhaust port;
the fig. 9 schematically shows, in a lateral sectional view, the position of both the internal and external cylinder during the turboventilation-exhaust stroke C;
the fig. 10 shows, in a plan view, the alignment of the corresponding holes among the internal cylinder c1) and the external cylinder f) to originate the ventilation port;
the fig. 11 schematically shows, in a lateral sectional view, the position of both the internal and external cylinder during the inlet stroke D;
the fig. 12 shows, in a plan view, the alignment of the corresponding holes among the internal cylinder d1) and the external cylinder f) to originate the inlet port;
the fig. 13 schematically shows, in a lateral sectional view, the position of both the internal and external cylinder during the compression stroke E;
the fig. 14 shows, in a plan view, the alignment of the corresponding holes among the internal cylinder e1) and the external cylinder f): in this case, there is no alignments among the holes, and therefore there is no ports.

In relation to the drawings, with (1) are indicated the opposed pistons, cylindrically shaped, provided, along their circumference, of sealing rings (2); the pistons move linearly along the internal cylinder (3), having a constant circular section until a slot, from which the same cylinder has a smaller diameter (4). On the surface of the internal cylinder (3) there are the holes (5), opportunely placed, which, in a favourite way of realization, are seven in number, symmetrically and diagonally set on three different planes and one place to the center, to fit further holes (6), also seven in number, linearly placed on a single axle, on the external cylinder (7), coaxial to the cylinder (3) and having circular section.
The whole of the holes (5) and (6), placed on both the internal and external cylinder, realizes the entry and exit ports of the engine, according to the present invention. The linear opposed movement of the two pistons along the cylinder is synchronized with the opening and closing of the ports. In fact, on the extremity (4) of the cylinder (3) is fitted a cogwheel that is geared by a drive belt that put in rotation the cylinder (3). The whole is devised so that every linear movement of the opposed pistons in the cylinder coincides with a rotation of the same cylinder, so that the holes (5) can fit the holes (6) realized on the external cylinder (7); in such way are realized the various ports of the motor.
In this engine, a cycle has two strokes (going and back) and five working phases. In the going stroke occur the compression stroke (E), and the internal and external cylinder are in position such as any of the holes (5) and (6), placed on their surface, fits; when the piston has reached the top dead centre, the cylinder, by a following rotation of 10°, fits the central hole (o) respectively of the hole sets (5) and (6) and realizes the inlet port (8) for the spark produced by the plug (9) placed on the external cylinder (7). It is, them, the firing stroke A of the compressed fuel and therefore the following expansion that begins the back phase of the pistons.
The cylinder completes a rotation of 155°, so that the couples of the holes with extremity (t) and (t1), (respectively of the holes of extremity of the hole sets (5) and (6)) fit, forming the exhaust ports (10), from which the gases escape; it is therefore the exhaust stroke B. After a rotation of 25°, the holes on the internal cylinder fit the holes (11) on the external cylinder, to originate the scavenging ports (11), from which a powerful air jet discharges the exhaust gases and introduces new air in the engine, realizing the turboventilation stroke C and a further series of advantages that will be pointed out later. From this point the pistons, reached the bottom dead centre, reverse their stroke and the cylinder, by a rotation of 15°, fits the holes (n) and (n1) to realize the inlet ports (12): this is the inlet stroke D.
The object of the present invention introduces, besides the same advantages described in the Italian patent application NA99A000020, others improvements. In fact, it is easy to observe that the rotation of the cylinder allows the reduction of the friction between the pistons and the walls of the same cylinder and, notable thing, the creation of a turbulence, inside the chamber of combustion, that facilitates both the ignition and the discharge of the gases, while the inlet air reaches a cleaner room. It is known that the introduction in the cylinder of air as clear and cold as possible is very important for a complete combustion, but, for a good mixture, it also needs that this air be turbulent. The scavenging of the cylinder, as well as the turbulence of the comburent, is very well realized in the engine conceived according to the present invention.
The feeding can be allowed both with liquid and gaseous fuel, while the ignition can be made both by plug and by self combustion; in last case the pressure of the fuel is optimized with the diminution of the distance among the pistons at the top dead centre.
By the rotation of the cylinder, the plug is in communication with the internal side of the cylinder only for the time that the spark strikes and provokes the firing of the fuel; in such way the plug is always cleaned; it is also a smaller wear of it.
The scavenging occurs during the exhaust stroke and the air jet is introduced close to the upper side of both the pistons: it strongly contributes to the good result of the same stroke and reduces the deposits on the pistons; it also naturally maintains the temperature of the same pistons at optimal values. To get turbulent motions, the scavenging ports can also have a tangential orientation. As evident from the attached drawings, the inlet ports (11) directs the air close to the pistons, to discharge, better and more quickly, the exhaust gases, dragged up by the same pistons. Because of the rotation of the cylinder, the cold air is collected toward the periphery of the room, so that, after some time, it will be a layer of air on the walls of the cylinder, cooling and maintaining at a constant temperature the walls themselves, without interfering with the temperatures needed to start the engine. The engine is very simple in the construction, with an almost perfect balancing of the inertia forces, and therefore absence of vibrations and consequent solicitations, as well as absence of valves, connecting rods, etc. The classical working phases of an internal combustion engine, and, more, that of the turboventilation, occur in only two strokes: in fact, for every complete revolution of the drive shaft, it is a revolution of the cylinder, rotating in only one direction. The interposition of bearings between internal and external cylinder allows the rotational motion and the sealing among them.
The introduction of fuel in the cylinder is regulated by the movement of the pistons, synchronized with the rotation of the cylinder, that opens and closes the inlet and exhaust ports, allowing also a better positioning of the themselves ports, that can be placed or conformed according to the various engines built for specific applications.
In comparison to preceding engines, is the lightness, the simplicity of operation as well as the lowering of the temperature of the exhaust gases, because of the turboventilation.
Although it has not been represented in the attached figures, the present engine can also do without the clutch in the gear. In fact, on every side of the cylinder, it can be realized two power drives, and therefore four drive shaft, connectable to four pulleys of different diameter, to have the various gear ratios.
The engine, according to the present invention, has the necessary characteristics of resistance to the stress, which the elements have to support, and, therefore, it can offer the widest guarantees of reliability and safety in the use. Actually, it can be realized with the maximum precision using elements and materials easily available, e.g. ceramic material or light alloys, also in critical parts, like the sealing rings, the sliding element of the piston and the sealing among internal and external cylinder; therefore, it can be said that it is competitive from an economic point of view.
As previously described and illustrated, it is clear that the invention reaches the scope. All the parts can technically be replaced by other equivalent elements; all the materials employees, as well as the dimensions and the shape, can be adjusted according to the application.

Claims

Alternative engine with opposed pistons that move rectilinearly, having the upper sides joined in a single chamber of combustion, synchronized with the internal cylinder which has rotational movement and is equipped with holes along its surface, to originate, with an external cylinder also provided with holes, the classical 5 working phases: inlet, compression, firing, expansion-exhaust, and scavenging, within only two strokes, characterized in that: the internal cylinder (3) has constant circular section until a slot, from which the same cylinder has a smaller diameter (4) and on its surface are seven holes (5), placed symmetrically along the cylinder axis and stappered in three different circumferential positions; and the external cylinder (7), with circular section and coaxial to the internal cylinder (3), with seven holes (6) placed linearly, on a single axle.
Alternative engine with opposed pistons, as claimed in claims 1, characterized in that the linear movement of the two opposed pistons along the cylinder is synchronized with the opening and closing of the ports: in fact, on the extremity (4) of the cylinder (3) is fitted a cogwheel, that is geared by a drive belt that puts in rotation the cylinder (3).
Alternative engine with opposed pistons, as claimed in claims 1, and 2 characterized by two strokes and having five working phases: during the compression stroke E, the internal and external cylinders are in position such as any of the holes (5) and (6), placed on their surface, fits; when the piston has reached the top dead centre, the cylinder, by a following rotation of 10°, fits the central hole (o) respectively of the hole sets (5) and (6) and realizes the inlet port (8) of the spark, produced by the plug (9), placed on the external cylinder (7), it is the stroke A of firing of the compressed fuel and therefore the following expansion; the cylinder completes a rotation of 155°, so that the couples of the extremity holes (t) and (t1), (respectively of the hole sets (5) and (6)), fit, forming the exhaust ports (10), from which the gases escape, it is the exhaust stroke B; after a rotation of others 25°, the holes (1) on the internal cylinder fit the holes (11) on the external cylinder, to originate the scavenging ports (11), from which a powerful air jet discharges the exhaust gases and introduces new air in the engine, realizing the turboventilation stroke C; from this point the pistons, reached the bottom dead centre, reverse their stroke and the cylinder, by a rotation of others 15°, fits the holes (n) and (n1) to realize the inlet ports (12), this is the inlet stroke D.
Alternative engine with opposed pistons, as claimed in precedent claims characterized in that the air jet is introduced close to the upper side of both the pistons, where are the exhaust gases that are dragged up by the pistons themselves, while the plug is exposed to the exhaust gases only during the firing stroke.