Multi-cylinder piston engine and method of operation thereof

Patent · Tue May 06 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5758758

Dibrell, E W

An apparatus is described for producing oscillating movement of a power output shaft about its axis comprising, in combination, housing means connected to the shaft defining a generally cylindrical fluid pressure chamber about the shaft axis; a plurality of cylinders secured to the housing means in peripherally spaced relation, the cylinder having an axis disposed in generally tangential relationship to the cylindrical fluid pressure chamber and an inner end in fluid communication with the fluid pressure chamber; a piston slidably and sealably mounted in the cylinder for movement between an outer and an inner position relative to the fluid pressure chamber; a rocker element freely rotatable about the shaft axis; connecting rods respectively mounted between the rocker element and the pistons, whereby all the pistons move concurrently relative to the cylinders, input valve means in the outer end of the cylinder responsive to movement of the respective piston to the outer position to open and close; means for supplying fluid pressure to the input valve means; exhaust valve means on the outer end of the cylinder responsive to movement of the piston to open and to close; and means for maintaining a fluid pressure in the fluid pressure chamber in excess of the minimum pressure operating on the outer faces of the pistons to return the pistons to the outer position, whereby the housing means and the output shaft are continuously oscillated about the shaft axis.

• Assignee: Centrifugal Piston Expander, San Antonio, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4586426
• OSTI ID: 5758758
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330100* -- Internal Combustion Engines
CONTROL
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CYLINDERS
DESIGN
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT ENGINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
MACHINE PARTS
MOTION
OPERATION
OSCILLATIONS
PISTONS
POSITIONING
PRESSURE CONTROL
PRESSURE EFFECTS
ROTATION
SEALS
SHAFTS
SPACE DEPENDENCE
VALVES