US2700378A - Opposed piston internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 25, 1955 w. s. HERZOG OPPOSED PISTON INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25. 1952 INVENTOR. %Z/2a7zz6fl'/Z% ATTD R N EYE Jan. 25, 1955 w, s, HERZQG 2,700,378

OPPOSED PISTON- INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed April 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J t 4 4 INVENTOR. Z/z/Zzawzfi 55 120;,

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ATTEI RN EYE Jan. 25, 1955 w, s, HERZOG 2,700,378

OPPOSED PISTON INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed April 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 a. e9 1] 3.? 1 33 .10 F 7W6 ATTDRN EYE Jan. 25, 1955 w, 5,. HERZQG I 2,700,378

OPPOSED PISTON INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed April 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. ihzifzaiiz Si /24y,

ATTD R N EYS Iii United States Patent PISTON INTERN AIL-COMBUSTION ENGINE OPPOSED This invention relates to internal combustion motors or engines of the type having removable heads in a cylinder with a conventional power piston, and in particular operating instrumentalities whereby a movable head of a cylinder assists in compressing fuel, such as the fuel of the diesel type engine and in which means is provided for holding the movable head on dead center at the time of the explosion and during the pressure stroke. With a movable cylinder or cylinder head coacting with a traveling piston greater efliciency is obtained, due to the use of high compression ratios, the rapid expansion of the gases after ignition, and less cooling of the charge during compression and combustion.

The purpose of this invention is to provide means for obtaining ignition pressure in an internal combustion engine or motor cylinder thereby obviating the necessity of having an auxiliary high pressure unit.

Various types of engines, motors, and the like have been provided with double pistons such as with a piston in each end of a cylinder and various auxiliary units have been used for compressing fuel sufficiently to cause the fuel to ignite without the use of a spark plug. However, it is difficult to obtain suflicient pressure directly in a cylinder to cause fuel to ignite therein and auxiliary fuel compressors and the like require additional operating mechanism.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates an engine having a cylinder with pistons in both ends and means for operating the pistons whereby one piston provides the power stroke and the other a movable or traveling head and in which means is provided for .1

holding the movable head on dead center at the time of the explosion and during the power stroke.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for incorporating a spring in a mechanical movement for operating a movable head of a cylinder where the head is actuated by a cam on the crank shaft of the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine wherein a movable head of a cylinder is actuated by a cam on a crank shaft of an engine in which the engine is of a comparatively simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies an internal combustion motor or engine having a cylinder with inlet and exhaust ports extended through the walls thereof and positioned at spaced points in the intermediate part thereof, a power piston positioned in one end of the cylinder and connected to a crank shaft with a connecting rod, a compression piston positioned in the opposite end of the cylinder providing a movable cylinder head, a cam positioned on the crank shaft, and means operatively connecting the cam to the pressure piston or movable cylinder head whereby the piston moves in opposed relation to the power piston for compressing fluids and wherein the pressure piston or movable head remains on dead center during the explosion and outward movement of the power piston.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of the improved internal combustion engine with the cylinder thereof shown in section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the cylinder and mounting elements thereof, showing the power piston at the end of the driving or pressure stroke and showing the movable piston or head in the position wherein the exhaust ports are open.

Figures 3 to 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating progressive positions of the power and pressure pistons.

Figure 3 shows the positions of the pistons just before the fluid reaches ignition pressure.

Figure 4 shows the positions of the pistons at the time the ignition pressure or ratio is reached wherein the piston providing the movable head is stationary and the power piston is applying force to the crank shaft.

In. Figure 5 the movable cylinder head is still stationary and the power piston is continuing the driving stroke.

In Figure 6 the driving or power piston is approaching the end of the power stroke and the movable head is opening the exhaust port.

In Figure 7 the pistons are substantially at the ends of the outward strokes wherein both intake and exhaust ports are open.

In Figure 8 the pistons have started toward the center in the compression stroke.

In Figure 9 the driving piston has reached dead center and the movable cylinder head is fast approaching dead center to complete the compression of the fuel.

Figure 10 is a detail illustrating the link connection of the movable head connecting rod with a rocker arm, the opposite end of which is actuated by a cam on the crank shaft of the engine.

Figure 11 is a detail showing a track in which a roller on a connection whereby a cam actuated rod is connected to the connecting rod of the movable head travels.

Figure 12 is a cross section through the connection illustrated in Fig. 11 showing the roller positioned between the rails of the track and also showing the rod actuated by the cam on the crank shaft in section.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal section through a cylinder illustrating a modification wherein both the cylinder and piston are movable.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved internal combustion motor or engine of this invention includes a cylinder 10, a power piston 11 mounted at one end of the cylinder, a compression piston 12 positioned in the opposite end of the cylinder and providing a movable head, a crank shaft 13, a cam 14 having a projection 15 thereon for controlling the movable head through a rocker arm 16, a cam 17 having an internal track 18 therein for actuating the movable head by an actuating rod 19, and a spring 20 which provides a kick-in action for the movable head to assist the cam in controlling the movement of the head.

The cylinder 10 is provided ,with inlet ports 21 that provide communicating means between the interior of the cylinder and an intake manifold 22, and exhaust ports 23 that communicate with an exhaust manifold 24. As illustrated in the drawings the cylinder is supported from a base 25 with supports 26 and 27, and the intermediate part of the cylinder is provided with air cooling fins 228. it Will be understood, however, that the cylinder may be supported and cooled by other suitable means.

The power or driving piston 11 is connected to an offset section 29 of the crank shaft 13 with a connecting rod 30 that is pivotally mounted in the piston with a pin 31.

The piston 12 providing the movable cylinder head is connected to an operating shaft 32 with a connecting rod 33 that is pivotally mounted in the piston head 12 with a pin 34 and that is pivotally connected, at the ,opposite end to an offset section 35 of the shaft 32. The section 35 of the shaft 32 is connected to one end of the rocker arm 16 by a link 36, one end of which is mounted on the offset section 35 and the other connected to the rocker arm with a pin 37.

The rocker arm 16 is pivotally mounted on a pin 38 and the end thereof opposite to the end connected by the link 36 to the shaft 32 is provided With a roller 39 that is positioned to be engaged by the projection 15 of the cam 14 on the crank shaft 13 when it is desired to drive the movable head into its final position, from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 wherein with I the piston 11 substantially stationary the fuel is compressed to the ignition ratio so that it is exploded to drive the piston 11 in the power stroke.

The operating shaft 32 is also provided with a bellcrank or arm 40 that is connected to the end of the actuating rod 19 with a link 41, the link being piv'otally connected to the rod with a pin 42 at one end and pivotally connected with a pin 43 to the arm 40 at the opposite end. A roller 44 is provided'on the pin 42, the roller being positioned to travel between rails 45 and 46 of a guide or track, as illustrated in Fig. 11.

The opposite end of the actuating rod 19 is connected by a lever 47 to a roller 48 that is operated by the cam track 18 in the cam 17, the roller being journaled on the end of the lever 47, which is pivotally connected to the rod 19 with a pin 49, being pivotally mounted on a pin 50. The cam 17 is provided with an inner section 51 with which the roller 43 is retained against the inner surface of the cam 17.

The spring 20, which is positioned around the rod 19 engages, a stationary stop 52 on the base 25, and a seat 53 on the rod 19 whereby the spring coacts with the cam in actuating the movable head.

With the parts arranged in this manner and with the power or driving piston 11 at the end of the stroke as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the charge has been exhausted, the cylinder cleared of foul gases and a fresh charge injected into the cylinder. From this position the pistons move in toward the center covering the exhaust and intake openings, eventually arriving at the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the fuel is compressed, substantially to the ignition ratio or pressure and at this instant the projection engages the roller 39, straightening the connecting rod 33 and the link whereby the piston 12 is actuated with a quick movement to add the final compression stroke wherein the fuel is ignited by the pressure and the force of the explosion is expanded against the piston 11 with the piston 12 held in a stationary position.

Inthis power stroke the piston 11, acting through the connecting rod 30 drives the section of the crank shaft 13 over the center and at the end of the power stroke the piston or movable head 12 travels away from the center opening the exhaust ports 23 and with the intake ports 21 also open, air is first injected into the cylinder, providing scavenging means to force foul gases through the exhaust port before the fuel charge is injected into the cylinder. At this time the pistons are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 7 and from this position the pistons move again toward the center, repeating the cycle. In

this movement the spring 20' is compressed by the lever 47 as the lever moves from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 7 and as soon as the roller 43 passes over the lobe of the inner cam 51 the spring snaps the roller back to the position substantially as illustrated'in Fig. 3. guide rails and 46, from the extreme position shown in Fig. 7 back to the position shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and the roller 39, being released by the projection 15, permits the link 36 and the arm 46 to travel to the positions .illustratedin Fig. 7 wherein the movable head or piston 12 is at the end of its stroke.

The base 25 is provided with vertically disposed walls 55 and 56 and, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the crank shaft 13 is journaled on the walls with bearings 57 and the shaft 32 is journaled on the opposite ends of the walls with bearings 58.

In the design shown in Figure 13 a cylinder 6t having a head 61 therein and provided with a piston 62 having a connecting rod 63, is pivotally connected by a connecting rod. 64- similar to the rod 33 to an operating shaft similar to the shaft 32 whereby the cylinder is reciprocated and held on dead center for the explosion. The cylinder is provided with ports 65 and 66 corresponding to the inlet and exhaust ports 21 and 23, respectively of the cylinder 10.

It will be understood that although inlet or intake and exhaust ports are referred to any type of valves or valve assembly may be used, and also that other products may be compressed in the cylinders.

It will be understood that modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylin- At the same time the roller 44 travels in the der, a power piston positioned in one end of the cylinder, a crank shaft, a connecting rod connecting the power piston to an offset section of the crank shaft, a piston providing a movable cylinder head positioned in the end of the cylinder opposite to the end in which the power piston is positioned, an operating shaft having an arm extended therefrom, a connecting rod connecting the arm of the operating shaft to the movable cylinder head, said cylinder having spaced intake and exhaust ports in the intermediate part thereof, a cam having a track therein mounted on the crank shaft, means actuating the operating shaft by the cam whereby the movable cylinder head coacts with the power piston to compress fuel to ignition pressure with the movable cylinder head remaining stationary in the power stroke of the piston, a cam having a projection thereon also mounted on the crank shaft, a rocker arm having a roller on one end positioned to be engaged by the projection of said cam, and a link connecting the opposite end of the rocker arm to the pivotal connection of the connecting rod of the movable cylinder head to the arm ofthe operating shaft.

2. In an internal combustion motor, the combination which comprises an elongated cylinder having spaced intake and exhaust manifolds extended around the intermediate part thereof with openings from the manifolds through the wall of the cylinder providing communication between the manifolds and interior of the cylinder, a crank shaft spaced from one end of the cylinder and positioned with the axis thereof perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder and in a plane extended through the axis of the cylinder, an operating shaft spaced from the opposite end of the cylinder also positioned perpendicular to the axis'of the cylinder and in a plane extended through the axis of the cylinder, a power piston slidably mounted in the end of the cylinder from which the crank shaft is spaced, a connecting rod connecting the power piston to the crank shaft, a piston providing a movable head slidably mounted in the opposite end of the cylinder, a connecting rod connecting ,the movable head to an arm extended from the operating shaft, a rocker arm positi-oned adjacent the cylinder, a link connecting one end of the rocker arm to the connection of the connecting rod of the movable head to the arm extended from the operating shaft, a roller journaled on the opposite end of the rocker arm, a cam having a projection on the peripheral surface positioned whereby the projection engages the roller on the end of the rocker arm, a cam having an internal track also positioned on said crank shaft, a pivotally mounted lever having a roller on one end positioned to extend into the internal track of the cam on the crank shaft, a rod extended from the opposite end of said lever to a point spaced below said operating shaft, a link connecting the end of the rod to an arm extended from the operating shaft, a roller positioned on the pivotal connection between the rod and the link, an arcuate guide track positioned whereby said roller onthe connection of the rod to the link travels to control the movement of the movable head, and means coordinating the movements of the cams with the operating shaft whereby the movable head meets with the power piston to compress fuel in the cylinder to ignition pressure.

3. In an internal combustion motor, the combination which comprises an elongated cylinder having spaced intake and exhaust manifolds extended around the intermediate part thereof with openings from the manifolds of the cylinder and in a plane extended through the axis.

of the cylinder, an operating shaft spaced from the opposite end of the cylinder also positioned perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder and in a plane extended through the axis of the cylinder, a power piston slidably mounted in the end of the cylinder from'which the crank shaft is spaced, a connecting rod connecting the power piston to the crank shaft, a piston providing a movable head slida-bly mounted in the opposite end of the cylinder, a connecting rod connecting the movable head to an arm extended from the operating shaft, a rocker arm positioned adjacent the cylinder, a link connecting one end of the rocker arm to the connection of the connecting rod of the movable head to the arm extended from the operating shaft, a roller journale'd on the opposite end of the. rocker arm, a carnhaving a projection on the peripheral surface positioned whereby the projection engages the roller on the end of the rocker arm, a cam having an internal track also positioned on said crank shaft, a pivotally mounted lever having a roller on one end positioned to extend into the internal track of the cam on the crank shaft, a rod extended from the opposite end of said lever to a point spaced below said operating shaft, a link connecting the end of the rod to an arm extended from the operating shaft, a roller positioned on the pivotal connection between the rod and the link, an arcuate guide track positioned whereby said roller on the connection of the rod to the link travels to control the movement of the movable head, and means coordinating the movements of the cams with the operating shaft whereby the movable head coacts with the power piston to compress fuel in the cylinder to ignition pressure, and whereby the movable head remains stationary during the power stroke of the power piston.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,116 Bronder Jan. 3, 1905 1,138,919 Willey et a1. May 11, 1915 1,207,846 Bradford Dec. 12, 1916 1,246,522 Hillhouse Oct. 16, 1917 1,574,574 Hale Feb. 23, 1926 1,574,062 Boehmer Feb. 23, 1926 1,973,887 Schick Sept. 18, 1934

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