Rotary internal combustion engine and method of operation
A rotor is formed to include recesses each of which engages a portion of a rotary piston. The remaining portions of the rotary pistons project radially outwardly from the periphery of the rotor to a position contiguous the inner surface of a peripheral stator wall. The peripheral stator wall includes endwardly projecting lobes. The lobes are elongated axially of the engine and present convex surfaces of circular curvature which conform in size and shape to concave pockets formed in side portion of the rotary pistons. During rotation of the rotary assembly the piston pockets move into and then out from a meshing engagement with the lobes. One of the lobes carries an igniter. An explosive lean mixture is drawn into the side pocket of a piston as the piston moves past an inlet opening. This mixture is compressed by the engagement of the piston pocket and the lobe. Ignition of the compressed charged creates an explosive force acting on the rotor assembly, causing it to rotate.
- Assignee:
- NOV; EDB-88-155443; NOV-88-023416
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4741308
- OSTI ID:
- 6843792
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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