EP0369991B1 - Rotating and reciprocating piston engine - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotating and alternating piston machine is an alternating or free piston machine in which the pistons effect a rotating and alternating movement. Main characteristics: 1) the use of rotation or alternation/rotation, for example in order to control the ports provided in the cylinder walls of two- and four-stroke engines, pumps and compressors; 2) simple conversion of rotating and alternating movement by mechanical or electrical means. The rotating and alternating piston machine offers the possibility of: pumps, including the electric drive, in which there is only one rotating part; direct conversion of the alternating movement of the piston into electrical energy; control of the gas movement by the piston; operation of other ports having specific functions (for example, introducing additional compressed gas, discharge ports operating in succession etc.); free selection of the number of piston strokes per rotation; choice of piston stroke kinematics; powerful rotation or swirling of charge; easily designed compact and inexpensive machines; possible integration of a compressor without having to provide for an additional volume and virtually without any weight increase. In the two-stroke combustion engine, in which the gas exchange is controlled by the pistons (2 and 5), the useful power is available at the central shaft (14), which carries the rotating and alternating piston (2) in a longitudinally-slidable but rotationally-fixed manner. Movement is converted by the oscillating shaft (35) and transmission element (38). The engine is provided with four working chambers and has a 100% mass balance.

Description

Technical field

Technical field of the invention are piston machines with reciprocating and simultaneously rotating pistons in the cylinder. The "classic", well-known reciprocating piston machine has pistons that only make a reciprocating movement. The piston movement is mostly generated by the crankshaft and connecting rod. The disadvantages of the classic reciprocating piston machine include the friction of the reciprocating piston on the cylinder, the space requirement of the crank mechanism and normally the need for separate organs to control the inlets and outlets.
Piston machines that can be used universally have therefore been proposed, which avoid these disadvantages by simultaneously carrying out a rotary movement together with the reciprocating movement. Because of the typical rotation and stroke movement of the piston, this type of machine is hereinafter referred to as the "rotary piston machine". “Rotary reciprocating piston machine” here means a work machine or an engine.

State of the art

The following designs of rotary reciprocating piston machines are known:
Kenneth R. Maltby describes in his patent (US 2,352,396) a piston machine in which the piston carries out a stroke movement with a simultaneous rotary movement. This movement is generated by the following device: A cam track rotates relative to guide elements and thereby makes a rotary-lifting movement relative to the guide elements. This cam track is either attached to the piston and the guide elements, in the form of rollers, etc., are attached to the cylinder, or vice versa.
A problem with this device is the extremely high mechanical stress in these parts.
Theodore Y. Korsgren, in US Pat. No. A2 532 106, presented a machine which generates the rotary-stroke movement of the piston by means of a bearing which is inclined relative to the piston axis. This bearing consists of two parts that rotate relative to each other. One part of the bearing is attached to the piston, the other part is articulated to the cylinder. A disadvantage of this invention is that the bearing mentioned reciprocates and tumbles.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to generate the rotary stroke movement of the piston in the piston machine by means of a device which, with its various designs, eliminates the problems and disadvantages mentioned.

Presentation of the invention

According to the present invention, therefore, a piston machine with one or more working spaces and with at least one piston is provided, which carries out a rotary movement about the cylinder axis and at the same time an oscillating stroke movement coaxial to the cylinder axis. This piston movement is generated by a bearing consisting of two parts that rotate relative to each other. This piston machine is characterized in that the theoretical axis of this bearing is not parallel to the cylinder axis and in that one part of the bearing is attached to the cylinder or forms part of the cylinder and the other part, hereinafter referred to as the hollow shaft, is articulated eccentrically with the piston connected is.
In contrast to the invention by Korsgren (US-A-2 532 106), the axis of the bearing is therefore not arranged obliquely to the piston axis but rather obliquely with respect to the cylinder axis. The theoretical axis of rotation of the bearing therefore remains stationary in the machine according to the invention, ie the bearing does not make any wobbling movements.

This also has the advantage that part of the warehouse that Hollow shaft, can be used for mechanical power transmission to the outside. As a result, the central shaft can be dispensed with in this version, which otherwise serves to transmit the rotary movement of the pistons to the outside. This central shaft has several disadvantages: For example, it goes through the middle of the work area, and seals must be provided between the piston and the central shaft.
In other versions, the bearing is additionally combined with an electric motor or generator, or the stroke length or the compression ratio is adjustable, or the end faces (working surfaces) of the pistons are used to synchronize the movement of the pistons, or there is a special lubrication of the pistons .

Description of the drawings

• Figur 1 ist ein Längsschnitt entlang der Zylinderachse einer Ausführung einer Maschine mit Kolben, die eine Dreh- und Hubbewegung ausführen. Die Erzeugung dieser Bewegung entspricht dem Stand der Technik.
• Figur 2 ist ein schematischer Querschnitt eines ersten Vorrichtungstyps für die Erzeugung der Kolbenbewegung gemäss der Erfindung von Theodore Korsgren (Stand der Technik).
• Figur 3 ist eine konstruktive Variante der in Figur 2 gezeigten Vorrichtung.
• Figuren 4 und 5 sind schematische Querschnitte des erfindungsgemässen neuen Vorrichtungstyps für die Erzeugung der Kolbenbewegung.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, which schematically illustrate the following exemplary embodiments:

• FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section along the cylinder axis of an embodiment of a machine with pistons that perform a rotating and lifting movement. The generation of this movement corresponds to the prior art.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic cross section of a first type of device for generating the piston movement according to the invention by Theodore Korsgren (prior art).
• Figure 3 is a constructive variant of the device shown in Figure 2.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic cross sections of the new type of device according to the invention for generating the piston movement.

Legend for the figures:

1

Zylinder / 1a, 1b, 1c Zylinderteile

2

Kolben, der eine Dreh-Hub-Bewegung macht

5

= 5a = 5b kolbenähnliches Glied, das nur rotiert

7

Arbeitsraum;

7a

dito, Maximalvolumen

7b

dito, Kompressionsvolumen = Totraum

8

Einlasskanal

9

Auslasskanal

10

Einlassströmung

11

Auslassströmung

12

Zündkerzen

14

zentrale Welle

35

derjenige Teil des Lagers, welcher am Kolben befestigt ist oder ein Teil des Kolbens bildet, scheibenförmig ausgeführt

36

derjenige Teil des Lagers, welcher am Kolben befestigt ist oder ein Teil des Kolbens bildet, in den Kolben eingesenkt

37

geometrische Achse des Teils 35 oder 36

38

derjenige Teil des Lagers, welcher mit dem Zylinder gelenkig verbunden ist

39

Gelenkpunkt der Verbindung des Teils 38 mit dem Zylinder

40

Hohlwelle. Sie ist derjenige Teil des Lagers, welcher exzentrisch mit dem Kolben gelenkig verbunden ist.

41

geometrische Achse der Hohlwelle (40)

42

Gelenkpunkt zwischen dem Kolben und der Hohlwelle

   Es werden nun die Zeichnungen beschrieben. Figur 1 ist ein Längsschnitt durch eine Maschine mit vier Arbeitsräumen (7a and 7b), entlang der Achse eines Zylinders mit den Zylinderteilen 1a, 1b, 1c. Der Zylinder weist in seiner Wand Öffnungen (Schlitze) auf, welche vorgesehen sind für den Einlass (8, 10) und für den Auslass (9, 11) des Arbeitsmediums. Die Schlitze werden durch die Kolben (2) und durch die kolbenähnlichen Glieder (5) geöffnet und geschlossen. Die Form und diese Anordnung der Kolben der schlitzgesteuerten Dreh-Hubkolben-Maschine beziehen sich auf einen Gegenstand einer separaten Patentanmeldung.
Die Bewegung des Dreh-Hubkolbens (2) wird auf folgende Weise erzeugt: Ein Lager, bestehend aus zwei Teilen (35) und (38), ist bezüglich des Kolbens schräg angeordnet, das heisst, die Achse (37) dieses Lagers ist nicht parallel zur Achse des Kolbens. Der innere Teil (35) des Lagers ist fest am Kolben (2) befestigt. Der äussere Teil (38) des Lagers ist am Gelenkpunkt (39) mit dem Zylinder verbunden. Die zwei Teile (35 und 38) des Lagers sind relativ zueinander drehbar um ihre Achse (37). Die Kolben (2) machen einen Hubzyklus, das heisst eine Hin- und Herbewegung, pro Umdrehung.
Die Leistungsübertragung vom Kolben nach aussen erfolgt mittels einer zentralen Welle (14). Die Kolben (2) sind mit der zentralen Welle (14) so verbunden, dass sie entlang der zentralen Welle längs verschiebbar sind, aber dass sie das Drehmoment auf die zentrale Welle (14) übertragen.

1

Cylinder / 1a, 1b, 1c cylinder parts

2nd

Piston that makes a rotary-stroke movement

5

= 5a = 5b piston-like member that only rotates

7

Working space;

7a

ditto, maximum volume

7b

ditto, compression volume = dead space

8th

Inlet duct

9

Exhaust duct

10th

Inlet flow

11

Outlet flow

12th

Spark plugs

14

central wave

35

that part of the bearing which is fastened to the piston or forms part of the piston is of disk-shaped design

36

that part of the bearing which is attached to the piston or forms part of the piston, sunk into the piston

37

geometric axis of part 35 or 36

38

that part of the bearing which is articulated to the cylinder

39

Hinge point of the connection of part 38 to the cylinder

40

Hollow shaft. It is the part of the bearing which is articulated with the piston.

41

geometric axis of the hollow shaft (40)

42

Hinge point between the piston and the hollow shaft

The drawings will now be described. Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a machine with four working spaces (7a and 7b), along the axis of a cylinder with the cylinder parts 1a, 1b, 1c. The cylinder has openings (slots) in its wall, which are provided for the inlet (8, 10) and for the outlet (9, 11) of the working medium. The slots are opened and closed by the pistons (2) and by the piston-like members (5). The shape and arrangement of the pistons of the slot-controlled rotary reciprocating machine relate to the subject of a separate patent application.
The movement of the rotary piston (2) is generated in the following way: A bearing consisting of two parts (35) and (38) is arranged obliquely with respect to the piston, that is, the axis (37) of this bearing is not parallel to the axis of the piston. The inner part (35) of the bearing is firmly attached to the piston (2). The outer part (38) of the bearing is connected to the cylinder at the articulation point (39). The two parts (35 and 38) of the bearing are rotatable relative to one another about their axis (37). The pistons (2) make one stroke cycle, i.e. a reciprocating movement, per revolution.
The power is transferred from the piston to the outside by means of a central shaft (14). The pistons (2) are connected to the central shaft (14) so that they are longitudinally displaceable along the central shaft, but that they transmit the torque to the central shaft (14).

Figures 2 and 3a, 3b show two examples of designs of the same type of mechanism which leads the piston (2) to a rotary-stroke movement. In Figures 2 and 2a details of the section along the cylinder axis of a rotary reciprocating machine are drawn. This mechanism corresponds to the mechanism illustrated in Figure 1, but the inner part (36) of the bearing is sunk into the piston (2). The outer part (38) of the bearing rotates relative to the axis (37) of the bearing and is connected to the cylinder by a joint (39). The pivot point (39) must be movable relative to the cylinder; or the connection between the bearing and the cylinder must allow a change in length.
These mechanisms for generating the piston movement shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 correspond in principle to the prior art according to Th. Korsgren (US-A-2 532 106).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two examples of designs of the new mechanism according to the invention, which leads the piston (2) to the rotary-stroke movement. Details of the cut along the cylinder axis are drawn. The hollow shaft (40) rotates about its own axis (41). The piston (2) is connected to the hollow shaft at an eccentrically located point (42). When the hollow shaft (40) rotates, the piston (2) also rotates and additionally performs an oscillating stroke movement.
The articulated connection between the hollow shaft (40) and the piston (2) fulfills the following conditions: It must pivot movements between the piston and the hollow shaft around all three coordinate axes or at least two coordinate axes allow. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, a ball joint allows swiveling movements around all three coordinate axes. In the case of the version with two pivot axes, these two coordinate axes must lie relative to the hollow shaft (40) in the plane which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation (41) of the hollow shaft. In addition, it must always be taken into account that the distance between an eccentrically located point of the hollow shaft and the piston axis does not remain constant during the rotation. The hinge point is therefore movable in an approximately radial direction to the axis of rotation of the piston (2) or in an approximately radial direction to the axis of rotation (41) of the hollow shaft.

For the sake of simplicity, all cylinder parts or non-moving parts connected to the cylinder, which could also be called "housing" or "engine block" e.t.c, are called "cylinders".

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a piston machine with at least one piston (2), which carries out a rotary movement about the cylinder axis and at the same time a stroke movement coaxial to the cylinder axis, this piston movement being brought about by a bearing consisting of two parts which rotate relative to one another. This piston machine is characterized in that one part of the bearing is fastened to the cylinder (1) or forms part of the cylinder and the other part of the bearing, here called "hollow shaft" (40), whose theoretical axis of rotation is not parallel to the axis of the cylinder is leads and that the hollow shaft (40) is eccentrically connected to the piston.
The piston performs one stroke movement per revolution. The kinematics of this movement depend on the geometric details of the execution and can deviate from the sinus shape. The kinematics is influenced, for example, by the measure of the angle of the axis of the bearing, by the distance between the central axis of the bearing and the articulation point (42), which a part of the bearing connects to the piston by the design of this articulated connection, in particular the execution of the longitudinal displaceability of this connection, and by displacement of the joint (42) in the direction parallel to the axis of the bearing.
The structural design of the two parts of the bearing is carried out according to the known rules of technology, for example with axial and radial sliding bearings or with roller bearings.

Other versions are characterized in that the two parts of the bearing, which rotate relative to each other, are made so that they together embody an electric motor or electric generator. In this way, part of the bearing is made, for example, as an armature or rotor and the other part of the bearing functions as a stator. Or in other words: The rotor and the stator are rotatably mounted relative to one another and, like the two bearing parts mentioned, are arranged according to the invention.

Another version is characterized in that the power is mechanically transmitted to the outside of the machine by means of the hollow shaft (40) mentioned.

Another version is characterized in that the stroke length or the compression ratio or both is adjustable in that the angle which the axis (41) of the bearing has to the axis of the cylinder can be varied. This is achieved in that the bearing is pivotally attached to the cylinder.

Another version is characterized in that the two adjacent, coaxially arranged end faces of the pistons (2) or of the piston (2) and the piston-like member (5), between which a working space is provided and which generate the compression ratio by relative stroke movement to one another , interlock like a claw. - This synchronizes the rotary movement.

Another version is characterized in that the piston rests on a lubricating film, the lubricant, if it does not get into the work space or into the slots may be kept away from the work area or from the slots by a scraper ring or other sealing elements. The rotating component of the piston movement is advantageous for hydrodynamic lubrication. The sealing element is mounted on the cylinder, for example.

Example for carrying out the invention

The working area (7) is delimited by two pistons (2), both of which perform a rotary stroke movement. The movement of the piston is guided by the type of mechanism illustrated schematically in Figure 4 or 5. The hollow shaft (40) of this mechanism also transmits the power to the outside of the machine: for this purpose, the hollow shaft is toothed on the outside and transmits the power to a gearwheel, which is located outside the cylinder. This gear driven by the hollow shaft (40) is connected to the corresponding gear of the adjacent hollow shaft.

Claims (6)

1. A piston engine or piston machine with at least one piston executing a rotating motion around the axis of the cylinder and a reciprocating motion coaxial to the axis of the cylinder at the same time, this motion of the piston being effected by a bearing consisting of two parts guiding each other in such a way that these two parts can rotate in relation to each other around an axis of rotation,
   characterized, that one part of the bearing is fastened to the cylinder (1) or is a part of the cylinder and is leading the other part of the bearing, in this text called hollow shaft (40), of which the theoretical axis of rotation is not parallel to the axis of the cylinder, and that the hollow shaft (40) is jointed excentrical to the piston.
2. Piston engine or piston machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized, that the two parts of the bearing rotating relatively to each other are made in such a way, that they together constitute an electro motor or electric generator.
3. Piston engine or piston machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized, that the transmission of the power to the outside is effected mechanicaly by the hollow shaft (40).
4. Piston engine or piston machine as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized, that the length of stroke or the compression ratio or both of them is adjustable by adjustment of the angle, which the axis (41) of the bearing shows with the axis of the cylinder, due to the bearing being hinged to the cylinder.
5. A piston engine or piston machine as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized, that two adjacent, coaxialy arranged front faces of pistons, or a front face of a piston and a front face of a piston-like member respectively, between which a working chamber is arranged and which generate the compression ratio by the reciprocating motion relative to each other, are meshing with each other like claws.
6. A piston engine or piston machine as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized, that the piston (2) bears upon a lubrication film, the lubrication fluid being kept away from the working chamber or from the ports by a scraper ring or other sealing elements, if it must not get into the working chamber or into the ports.

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