US2432426A - Rotary internal-combustion engine - Google Patents

Description

J. YE. E. KOLB 2,432,426

ROTARY INTERNAL- COMBUSTION ENGINE Dec. 9, 1947.

Filed May 21, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ill} ffa. Z.

I INVENTOR. [E E. K025 Dec. 9, 1947. J. E. E. KOLB ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE s SHeefs-Sheet 2 Filed May 21, 1945 INVENTORI.

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Dec. 9], 1947. KQLB 2,432,426

ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Ma 21; .1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5' fies. 6.

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BY wmvbzig Patented Dec. 9, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,432,426 ROTARY INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE Joseph E. E. Kolb, West Los A ngeles, Calif. Application May 21, 1945, Serial No. 595,042

This invention relates to internal combustion engines of the type in which cylinders are grouped about a common axis, although the'present arrangement and the theory of operation of the present invention radically differentiates from the conventional engine of this type.

It is the general object of my invention to provide a simple and economical engine of the reciprocating piston type, but having no crank shaft and no dead centers, and wherein the full power of the expanding gases is substantially evenly applied to effect propulsion over the entire range of the power stroke.

To this end, the invention resides in the various combinations and the many important novel features fully set forth in the following description, and drawings are hereto annexed in which the underlying principles of the invention are illustrated in the simplest possible form, in order that the many important features of the invention may be readily appreciated.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of my invention and with portions thereof broken away for the sake of clearness;

Fig. 2 is a substantially corresponding sectional view of the device taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrow;

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 3 and 4, respectively, of Fig. 1, in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is substantially like Fig. 2, but with different portions thereof broken away in order more clearly to illustrate the valve mechanism of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of the left portion of Fig. 1 and with parts thereof broken away in order to illustrate the interior mechanism there- Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 6, viewed in direction of the arrow 1; and

Fig. 8 is an end view of Fig. 6, and is taken in the direction of the arrow 8.

The structure of my invention, in the simple form illustrated in the drawings, is of the two cycle type comprising a frame I, in which a shaft 2 is seated to rotate. A hub 3 is shown keyed to this shaft, and this hub is shaped to support a series of radially directed valve casings 4, the interior mechanism of which will be described presently. A cylinder 5 extends perpendicularly from the side wall of each of these casings to support a piston 6. It is to be noted that, as shown in Fig. 1, two valve and cylinder units are shown placed in reverse relation with- 8 Claims. (Cl. 123 43) in the frame, but that otherwise the two units maybe exactly alike. Reference to one unit therefore relates equally to the other.

From the foregoing brief description, it is seen that this assembly, comprising the cylinders, valves in their casings and the hubs 3 on which they are mounted, constitute two cylinder units fixed to rotate with the shaft 2.

A circular frame I is mounted freely to rotate relative to the shaft, and it is shown fitted with radially directed arms i to theouter concentric ends of which the connecting rods of the pistons 6 are pivotally secured. It is important to note that the center of this frame, which for convenience hereinafter is referred to as the spider, is placed a distance equal to one-half of the piston stroke above the shaft axis, as indicated at 8 in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

A gIOoVed disk 9 is secured to the cylinder unit, adjacent the spider I, and it is noticed that a series of studs l0 project from the spider into the grooves of the lgwer portion of the disk, as it appears in Figs. 1 and 2, but rise above the grooves at the upper portion thereof, see also Fig. 3. The spider is in a manner which will be explained below, held against backward rotation. It follows that the pistons are held by the spider against movement within the cylinders on the power stroke and that, for this reason, the cylinders are forced to move. In other words, it is found that forward rotation is imparted to the cylinder unit on each power stroke.

The studs [0 of the spider combine with the grooves of the disk 9 to form means for controlling the relative movements of the spider and the cylinders, that is by limiting the movement of the cylinders relative to the pistons to the correct power stroke and also gradually to compel the spider to follow the movement of the cylinder unit. But I wish it understood that the foregoing merely is illustrative of means for controlling the relative movements of the two parts, and may be modified to suit the requirements of v modern engineerin practice.

Advance movement of the cylinder unit rela tive to the spider would be impossible if these two devices were concentrically placed because they would by the studs in riding in the grooves of the disk become interlocked for movement in the same direction at the same speed. And such movement would be impossible while they remained interlocked. But because the spider center is placed a distance equal to one-half of the piston stroke away from the axis of the cylinder unit, it is found that such relative movement can be effected, the relative piston-cylinder stroke being completed at the end of one-half revolution of the engine shaft.

As above stated, four cylinder units are mounted on the hub 3 and it is important to note that, because the spider axis is set one-half of a piston stroke to one side of the cylinder unit axis, each cylinder is advanced one-fourth of a piston stroke relative to the next following piston, If for instance, as illustrated in Fig. 2', the piston at the left is at the beginning of the power stroke, it follows that the piston, in the cylinder unit directly thereabove, is at the middle of the power stroke. In the cylinder unit at the right, the piston is at the end of its power stroke and in the bottom cylinder unit the piston is at the middle of its return stroke. 7

From the foregoing brief description, it is seen that each relative cylinder-piston stroke is completed during each one-half revolution of the cylinder unit and, as four cylinders are embodied in the simple form illustrated, that the impulses are substantially continuous, each new impulse commencing before the preceding one is completed. And, of course. where more than four cylinders are grouped about the hub 3, or additional cylinder units are placed side by side on the shaft 2, and in different angular relation to each other, as indicated in Fig. 1, it is seen that uniform force may be continuously applied to rotate the shaft, thereby to assure the smooth, vibrationless operation of which the turbine type of engine is known. But, while in the turbine engine, much of the power applied is wasted in the vanes thereof, no such waste of power is present in the device of my invention.

It was above stated that the spider is mounted for rotation relative to the cylinder unit. This may conveniently be done by extending the machine frame inward to form a hub l2, see Figs. 4 and 6, in the periphery of which is cut a groove [2 This hub is concentric with the spider, which latter is shown fitted with an annular flange 1 riding on the hub, and screw studs I3 extend into the groove of the hub to maintain the spider rotatably fixed in position on the hub. It is to be noted that the hub I2 is concentric with the spider and that it is made with a concentric shoulder portion into which are sunk recesses 14 of a size to receive balls E5. The latter ride in an internal groove i! of the spider, and they are provided for the purpose of preventing backward rotation thereof. But I wish it understood that this is merely illustrative of simple means for preventing backlash, and that more" elabcrate device may be substituted in order to make certain that all danger of backward rotation is eliminated.

In order clearly to illustrate the principle and operation of the valve mechanism and the ignition elements of my invention, I have in Figs. 5, 6' and 7 shown a cylindrical valve 20 seated for rotation within each casing 5. On the stem of this valve is fastened a gear wheel 2i, which is in mesh with a toothed rackbar 22, see Figs. 1 and 2. The latter is seated to slide in bearings. 23 of the Valve casings, and a link 24 connects this rack with the stud of the spider arms on which the piston rods are hung. The movements of the cylinder unit relative to the spider are effective to reciprocate this rackbar and thereby to impart oscillating movement to the valve over an arc of 180 in properly timed relation to the piston stroke.

An annular flange 26 is shown extending inwardly from the frame hub l2 to bear against the side wall of the cylinder unit, see Fig. 6. A fuel intake conduit 21 terminates in this flange to communicate with an annular recess 28 in the wall of the cylinder unit, see Fig. 7, and passages 29 lead from this recess to the valves. In each of the valves is formed a passage 38 which, when the valve is in the position indicated at the right, in Fig. 5, registers with a port 3| of the cylinder for fuel mixture to enter the cylinder at the end of the power stroke. A second port 32 is, at the same time, in registration with an exhaust passage 33.

In order to insure proper scavenging of the cylinder at the end of the power stroke, and also so as to provide a suificient supply of fresh fuel therein, it is preferable to mount a suitable fan 34- within the intake conduit. As a simple means of illustrating connections for rotating this fan, a gear wheel 35 of the fan is shown in mesh with annular gear teeth 36 cut into the edge of the flange l Illustrative of simple means of effecting properly timed ignition of the compressed fuel mixture, the valve 28 is shown recessed at 40 to receive a sparkplug 4!. A passage 42 leads from this recess to the outer surface of the valve and this passage moved into registration with a port 43 of the cylinder at the end of the compression stroke, substantially as indicated at the left of Fig. 5. A conductor 55 extends through an insulating sleeve within the valve stem. To the outer end of this conductor is secured a contact head 47 which, at the proper moment, reaches a contact at the end of a conductor 48, and the latter is mounted in and insulated from a bracket 49 of the machine frame. Current from a source of energy 50 passes through these contacts to the sparkplug, and the latter may be grounded through the cylinder unit and the machine frame.

It is necessary to provide means for adjusting the position of this contact for the purpose of advancing or retarding the spark, as may be required in the operation of the engine. Illustrative of such means I have in Fig. 1 shown the conductor 38 seated in an elongated perforation of the bracket 49. Adjustment within this perforation is readil effected, and the conductor is clamped in adjusted position by means of a thumb nut 5|. I

While I have herein endeavored to describe and illustrate my invention in simple terms in order to facilitate perusal thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the exact proportions of parts or the construction or arrangement of the many important features of the invention, but retain the right to embody, within the scope of the claims hereto appended, such modifications of structure and arrangement as may be necessary in order to comply with the requirements of modern engineering practice.

I claim:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft and having cylindrical valvecasings radially directed from the shaft axis, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the casing axis, a valve rotatable in each casing, means interconnecting said valves for simultaneous rotation, a spider mounted for rotation in one direction on said support and eccentrically encompassing said shaft, pistons in said cylinders,

rods operatively interconnecting said pistons with the outer ends of said spider, and means controlling movement of said cylinders relative to the said spider.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft, cylindrical valve casings radially extending from said frame, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a cylindrical valve rotatably seated in each casing, means interconnecting said valves for simultaneous rotation, means controlling rotation of said frame, pistons in said cylinders, and means interconnecting said pistons with the said control means.

3. In n internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft, cylindrical valve casing radially extending from said frame, a fuel intake conduit to said casings, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a cylindrical valv rotatable in each casing, each valve having a passage for fuel from said conduit through the casing to the adjacent cylinder, means interconnecting said valves for simultaneous rotation, pistons in said cylinders, control means on said support, and piston rods operatively connecting said pistons with the said control means.

4. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft and having arms radially extending from the shaft axis, a cylinder on each arm perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a spider mounted for rotation in one direction on said support and eccentrically encompassing said shaft, pistons in said cylinders, rods operatively interconnecting said pistons with the outer ends of said spider, a grooved disk on the support concentric with the shaft, and elements on said spider engaging the grooves of said disk to control movement of said cylinders relative to the said spider.

5. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft and having cylindrical valve casings radially extending therefrom, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a. valve rotatable in each casing, means interconnecting said valves for simultaneous rotation, a chamber within each valve having a port for communication with the adjacent cylinder, a sparkplug in each chamber, an ignition system, and contact means closing said circuit through each of said sparkplugs as the port of the chamber wherein it is seated reaches position of communication with the adjacent cylinder.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a stationary support, a hub on said support, a shaft rotatable in said hub, there being an eccentric and an adjacent concentric shoulder on said hub, a frame rigid on the shaft, equidistant cylindrical casings radially extending from said frame, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a spider rotatable in one direction on said eccentric shoulder, a piston in each cylinder, a rod operatively connecting said pistons with the outer ends of the spider, a peripherally grooved disk rigid on said concentric shoulder, elements of said spider for engagement with the grooves of said disk to control movement of said frame relative to the spider, valves in said casings, and means interconnecting said valves for rotation in timed relation to frame rotations.

7. In an internal combustion engine. a stationary support, a hub on said support, a shaft rotatable in said hub, a frame rigid on said shaft in contact with the end of said hub, equidistant cylindrical casings radially extending from said frame, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radiai axis thereof, valves in said casings, means interconnecting said valves for rotation in timed relation to frame rotation, said frame having an annular groove in the face contacting the hub and passages therefrom to each casing, a fuel intake conduit communicating with said groove, a valve in each casing having ports for passing fuel from said conduit through said groove and passages to the cylinders in one position of said valves, a chamber in each valve communicating with the adjacent cylinder at a different valve position, an ignition circuit, a sparkplug in each chamber, and contact means for closing the circuit through each of said sparkplugs when the chamber in which it is seated reaches position of communication with the adjacent cylinder.

8. In an internal combustion engine, a, stationary support, a shaft rotatable in said support, a frame rigid on said shaft and having cylindrical casings radially extending from the frame axis, a cylinder on each casing perpendicular to the radial axis thereof, a spider mounted for rotation in one direction on said support and eccentrically encompassing said shaft, pistons in said cylinders, rods operatively interconnecting said pistons with the outer ends of said spider, valves rotatable in said casings and having radially extending stems, a gear wheel on each stem, rackbar in mesh with each gear wheel and mounted for reciprocating movement on the casing, and a link interconnecting each rackbar with the spider ends.

JOSEPH E. E. KOLB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,292,171 Walk Jan. 21, 1919 1,367,591 Duncombe Feb. 8, 1921 1,418,875 Laird June 6, 1922 1,572,541 Lawrence Feb. 9, 1926 1,823,132 Cunningham Sept. 15, 1931 2,154,370 Wolf Apr. 11, 1939 2,417,894 Wayland Mar. 25, 1947

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