US1802650A - Oscillating gas engine - Google Patents

Description

April 28, 1931- R. HELMLINGER I 1,802,650

OSGILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 51, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wmzss X I x fflmi M 7M ATTORNEYS.

April 28, 1931. HELMUNGER 1,802,650

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April 28, 1931. R. HELMLINGER OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 31, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 14 TI'ORNE Y Way \I... l

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April 28, 1931- R. HELMLINGER 1,802,650

OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug. 31. 1929 5 Sheets-Shet 4 HTTORNEYJ.

5 Sheets-Sheet 5 RHELMLINGER OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Filed Aug.

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. INVE ran 8r MVW firm/vim Patented Apr. 28, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEHI BIELHLINGEB, OI TUTTLINGEN, GEB IANY, ASSIGNOB TO, Ali-FORGE MOOS- BRUGGEB, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK OSCILLATING GAS ENGINE Application filed August 31, 1888. Serial 1T0. 889,817.

This invention relates to an internal combustion engine involving the use of a single stationary cylinder having its interior d1- vided b intersecting partitions into a plu- 5 rality o in this instance four, compartments to take the place of the usual four cylinder four cycle engine, one of the partitions be-,

cost of materials entering into the construcg1 tion of the engine and at the same time to reduce the inertia incidental to the reciprocal action of the oscillating partition.

. Another object is to divide the fixed parti- 2 tion into symmetrical radial sections projectin inwardly from the inner walls of the cy inder bore equal distances therefrom with their inner ends in sufliciently spaced relation to receive the central portion of the oscilating partition to enable the latter to oscillate about the axis of the cylinder.

Another object is to make both ends of the oscillating partitions symmetrical and in balance relatively to its axis of oscillation so that they may serve as pistons to co-operate with the opposite sides of the fixed radial partition sections and that they may be responsive to the explosition in the several compartments and at the same time be utilized for affecting the desired exhaust, intake and compression of the gases.

A further object is to provide each compartment with an intake port and an exhaust port and to automatically control said ports by suitable valves.

Another object is to provide each compartment with an electric'ignition plug and suitable means for intermittingly energizing the electrodes of said plug as the live gases are compressed in the corresponding compartment for power purposes.

A further ob ect is to provide means for transmitting motion from the oscillatin partition to an external driven shaft and a so to provide additional means actuated by the driven shaft for controlling the o eration of the valves and energizing of the spark-plugs.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts of the engine will be brought out in the following description:

In the drawings Fig. l is a top plan of an internal'combustion engine embodying the various features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the same mechanism except that one of the upper gears is broken away.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same en- Fig. 4 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 5, showing the intake valve and exhaust valve for one of the compartments.

Figs. 5 and 6 are transverse vertical sectional views taken respectively in the planes of line 5-5 and 6-6, Fig. 1.

Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views taken reipectively in planes of line 7-7 and 8-8,

As illustrated this engine com rises a hollow, circular shell or housing having its interior divided into a plurality of, in this instance four, compartments or chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4, through the medium of rela- .tively fixed radial partition sections --a and a and a movable partition B whichis mounted upon a central shaft 5 to extend radially in opposite directions therefrom as shown more clearly in Figs. 5 and 6.

The partitions a and -a' are arranged in diametricalopposed s aced relation to receive the central portion of the partition-B between them and are preferably integrally united at their outer ends to the inner walls of the shell or cylinder A, the inner ends of the fixed partitions being provided with outwardly divergent faces 6 at equal angles to their longitudinal centers corresponding approximately to the angle of oscillation of the partition B from one extreme position to the other and vice versa.

The inner peripheral walls of the cylinder A- between the partitions aand a'- are concentric with the axis of the cylinder and shaft 5 to form a close fitting running joint with the opposite ends of the movable partition B.

The shaft 5 is journaled in suitable bearings in the opposite end walls of the cylinder A- coaxial therewith for receiving and supporting the movable partition B- to oscillate therewith.

The partition B- is provided with a central substantially circular hub -8 and opposite radially projecting pistons 9 and 9'- having their opposite end edges and peripheries closely fitting against the end walls and inner peripheral walls of the cylinder -A to form substantially gas-tight joints therewith and for this latter purpose, the outer edges of the pistons 9- and 9 are provided with packing members 10 as shown more clearly in Fig. 6.

The opposite faces of the pistons 9+ and 9 are disposed in outwardly diverging planes so that their outer edges are somewhat wider circumferentially than their 1nner ends adjacent the hub 8- to afford correspondingly broad contact areas with the inner walls of the cylinder.

The inner ends of the fixed partitions a and aare also provided with packing members 11 engaging the periphery of the hub 8 of the partitions 9 and 9- to form substantially gas-tight joints therewith.

The fixed partitions --a and a' extend from end to end of the cylinder A- and are preferably integrally united to the end walls thereof, the major portions of the partitions between the inner beveled heads and inner peripheral walls of the cylinder being relatively narrow circumferentially and disposed in planes parallel with a plane extending diametrically through the centers thereof to afford ample space for the introduction, compression and explosion of the fuel charges and the exhaust of the spent gases as the pistons 9 and 9- are moved in reversed directions.

The peripheral wall of the cylinder A is provided with a fuel intake manifold or chamber 12, an exhaust manifold 13- and a cooling chamber 14 all of which extend circumferentially around the axis of the cylinder as shown more clearly in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, the fuel intake chamber 12 and exhaust chamber 13- being separated by a circumferentially extending partition -l5 midway between the opposite end walls of the cylinder as shown more clearly in Fi s. 7 and 8.

he fuel intake manifold or distributing chamber 12- is connected by a conduit 16- to a suitable carbureter 17- which in turn, may be connected to any available source of fuel supply such as a gasoline tank not shown, said fuel distributing chamber being also provided with a plurality of, in this instance 4, inlet orts 1, 2', 3' and 4' which are controlled by suitable valves 18, 19, 20 and 21 adapted to be operated in the manner hereinafter described.

The exhaust chamber 13 is connected to a suitable delivery conduit 22- adapted to discharge to the atmosphere or any suitable mufiiing medium not shown, said exhaust chamber being also provided with a plurality of, in this instance four, exhaust ports 1", 2", 3 and 4" leading thereto from the corresponding compartments or chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4, as shown in Fig. 6.

These exhaust ports 1", 2", 3 and 4 are respectively controlled by separate valves 23, 2 25- and 26 adapted to be operated in the manner hereinafter described.

The fuel intake ports and exhaust ports are formed in solid ortions of the cylinder --A- extending t rough the coolin chamber 14- to cut off communication etween said ports and cooling chamber as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The peripheral walls of the chambers or compartments 1, 2, 3 and 4 are provided respectively with spark-plug openings for receiving a corresponding number of spark plugs, 27, 28, 29 and 30 located between the positions of maximum movement of the pistons 9 and 9'-- and partitions -a and a, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and having their terminals pro]ecting into said chambers for igniting the fuel admitted thereto, said spark plu being electrically connected in any well own manner to a source or sources of current supply not shown.

The diametrically opposite lower and upper portions of the cooling chamber 14- are provided respectively with an inlet conduit 3l and an outlet conduit 32- for receiving and delivering water or other cooling agent and causing the same to circulate through the chamber -14-, said conduits being preferably connected in any suitable manner to the lower and upper portions of a radiator not shown but commonly used in connection with internal combustion engines.

The pistons 9 and 9' and the intake and exhaust valves are adapted to operate on the principle of what is commonly known as a four-cycle engine for producing regular oscillatory motions of the pistons and a corresponding reverse rocking movement of the shaft -5 and suitable means is provided for converting this oscillating or rocking movement of the pistons and shaft Into a continuous rotary motion.

As illustrated more clearly in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, the outer end of the rock shaft 5 1s providedwith a pair of similar diametrica y opposite crank arms 41 keyed or otherwise secured thereto to oscillate therewith at the outside of the cylinder A.

A separate shaft 42- is journaled on the main supporting frame A'-- of the cylinder A coaxial with the rock shaft -5 for continuous rotation relatively thereto.

A relatively large gear 43- is keyed or otherwise secured to the inner end of the shaft 42 adjacent the outer end of the shaft 5, as shown in Fig. 7, and is adapted to mesh with a pair of diametrically opposite gears or pinions 44- which are journaled upon suitable brackets 45- on the supporting frame A- (see Fig. 2).

.The cylinder A is preferably made in half sections meeting in a plane passing through the axisof the shaft -5 substantlally midway between the outer ends of the partitions aand a' as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the meeting faces of said sections being secured together by bolts 33- or equivalent fastening means.

The artitions a and a' are preferably ollow and closed at their inner ends but are open at their outer ends for communication with the cooling chamber to permit the circulation of the water or other cooling agent thereinto.

The pistons 9- and 9 of the oscillating partition B- are also hollow for cooling purposes and, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, are constructed so as to permit the circulation of water or other cooling agent into the interior thereof.

For this latter purpose, the hub of the pistons is provided with radially projecting partitions 34 dividing the interior of the pistons into similar compartments 35, those at each side of the hub beinga connected by passages 35 as shown in ig. 9;

In this latter construction one end of the shaft 5 is tubular and is provided with separate diametrical openings 36- and 36'-, one of which 36 communicates with chamber 35- at one side'of the partitions 34- through radial openings 37- in the hub of the pistons, while the opening 36- communicates with the other compartment -35 through radial openings 37- in the hub 8 as shown more clearly in Figs. 9 and 10.

The shaft 5- is provided with an internal chamber 38- having its inner end communicating with the passages 36 and 37 and its outer end connected by ports 38 to a supply pipe 39-- for the water or other cooling agent, the periphery of the shaft adjacent the inner end of the pipe '39 belng provided with an annular groove 39'- to permit free passage of the cooling agent from the pipe 39- into the chamber 38- while the shaft is being oscillated by the action of the pistons 9 and 9'- in the manner hereinafter described.

A return pipe 40 for the cooling agent is passed centrally through the outer end of are pivotally connected at one end at 47' to the outer ends of the crank arms 41- and have their opposite ends pivotally connected at 48- to the gears or pinions 44- eccentric to the axes of their respective journal bearings 44, as shown in Fig.

2, for transmitting rotary motion from the oscillating crank arms 41- to said gears or pinions 44 and thence to the gear 43- and driven shaft 42- it being un-' derstood that the momentum of rotation of the gears 44' and 43 will carry the pitpr ien 46- beyond the dead center shown in i 2.

In other words, the oscillatory motion of the pistons 9- and 9' by the successive explosions in the chambers 1, 3, 4 and 2 causes the rotation of the driven shaft 42+- through the medium of the crank arms 41, pitment 46, pinions 44- and gear 43- for efiecting a continuous rotation of the shaft 42 in one and the same direction.

Valveopemtion The stems of the several intake and exhaust controlling valves are extended outwardly through suitable guide openings in the peripherial walls of the cylinder A and are provided at their outer ends with spring seats 49- for receiving the outer ends of coil springs 50- having their inner ends bearing against the periphery of the cylinder A to. normally and yieldingly hold. the corresponding valves in their closed positions and permit them to be opened at the proper time in a manner presently described.

Suitable cam shafts --5l and 51' age journaled in brackets 52- on the main supporting frame at diametrical sides of the cylinder ,A-, each shaft being provided with a pair of cams 53-- for engaging and operating a corresponding number of levers 54 which are also journaled upon the brackets 52- and are adapted to engage the outer ends of the valve stems for opening the corresponding valves against the action of their springs 50- The means for transmitting motion from the driven shaft 42- of the engine to the cam shafts -51 and 51'- comprises coaxial jack-shaft sections 55- and -55- and beveled gears 56- for transmitting motion to the shaft -55- and 55'- which in turn are connected by gears -57-'- and 57- to the cam shafts -5l and 51' as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The valve operating levers 54 are arranged in pairs and those of each pair are loosely mounted upon a supporting shaft or spindle 58, the levers of each pair being held in spaced relation by compression springs -59 as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3.

The driving connections between the shaft 42- and valve operating levers -54 are arranged and timed to open the valves and to allow them to close at proper intervals according to the firing, fuel intake, exhaust and compression within the chambers 1, 2, 3 and 4.

As illustrated, the ignition and operation of the valves are timed to cause the explosion of the fuel mixture in the chambers 1, 3, 4 and 2 successively with a corresponding sequence of operation of several intake valves and exhaust valves.

Operation Assuming that the pistons 9- and 9 are in the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and that a charge of explosive mixture-has been previously induced and compressed within the chamber -1 and that an explosion has previously occurred in chamber 2 to drive the piston to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6 under which conditions a charge of the explosive mixture will be pres ent in the chamber 3- ready to be compressed while the exhaust gases have just been expelled from the chamber 4 ready for the induction of a fresh charge of fuel into said chamber.

Then upon the energizing of the spark plug 27- the resultant explosion of the fuel in the chamber 1- will drive the pistons 9 and 9-. in a clockwise direction, thereby causing the piston 9 to expel the spent gases from the chamber 2 while the piston 9 will serve to induce a fresh charge of the explosive mixture into the chamber -4- and to compress the charge in the chamber -3 as the pistons assume a position indicated in dotted line in Fig. 5.

During this firing stroke of the piston 9, the intake and exhaust valves of the chamber -1- will be closed, while the exhaust valves of the chamber -2 will be opened to permit the exit of the spent gases, the intake valve of that chamber being closed.

During the movement of the piston 9 from the position shown by full lines to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5, the intake alves of the chamber 4 will be opened to permit the induction of a fresh charge of the explosive mixture into vthat chamber, the exhaust valve of said chamber being closed.

This same movement of the piston 9' will cause the charge of explosive mixture in the chamber -3 to be compressed during which operation the intake valve and exhaust valve of that chamber will be closed.

At the end of the first movement of the pistons 9 and -9, the compressed charge of the explosive mixture will be ignited and exploded in the chamber 3- to drive the pistons in a counterclockwise direction, thereby returning the istons' to their starting positions, during wh1ch return, the intake valve of the chamber -1- will be closed and the exhaust valve of the same chamber opened to permit the expulsion of the spent gases from that chamber and during the same time the explosive charge in the chamber -4 will be compressed and the intake valve and exhaust valve of that chamber will be closed.

During the same period the exhaust valve of the chamber 2- will be closed and the corresponding intake valve opened to allow the induction of a fresh charge of explosive mixture into said chamber.

The compressed charge within the chamber 4 is then ignited to move the pistons a second time to a position shown by dotted lines, the intake valve and exhaust valve of the chamber -4- being then closed and at the same time, the charge in the chamber 2 will be compressed by the piston 9, while the spent gases in the chamber 3 will be expelled through the then opened exhaust valve of that chamber.

The explosive mixture in the chamber 2 is then ignited for returning the pistons to their starting positions thus completing the cycle of successive explosions in the chamber 1-, 3, 4- and -2 and resultant movements of the pistons.

On the other hand, the intake valve of each chamber will be opened during one of the receding movements of the corresponding piston from that chamber to cause the induction of a fresh charge of explosive mixture thereinto while the exhaust valve of the same chamber will remain closed.

The mechanism shown and described is particularly efiicient in operation but obviabout the axis of the cylinder and co-operating' with the first-named partitions to divide the interior of the cylinder into four chambers, each chamber having a fuel-intake port, and an exhaust port, and valves controlling said ports, said cylinder having an annular chamber connecting the intake ports, and a separate annular chamber connecting the exhaust ports.

2. In an internal combustion engine of the character described, a cylinder having internal diametrically opposed partitions, an oscillatory piston movable about the axis of the cylinder and co-operating with said partitions to divide the interior of the cylinder into four chambers, each chamber having a fuel intake port and an exhaust port both adjacent one side ofthe corresponding partition, self-closing valves controlling said ports, engine driven cam-shafts at diametri cally opposite sides of the cylinder in the horizontal plane of said partitions, and devices actuated by the cam-shafts for opening the adjacent valves in proper sequence.

3. In an internal combustion engine of the character described, a cylinder having radial partitions projecting inwardly from diametrically opposite sides of its inner wall, a fuel intake manifold extending entirely around the outside of said inner wall and provided with fuel-intake ports leading to the interior of the shell at opposite sides of and adjacent said partitions, an exhaust manifold extending entirely around said inner 5 wall and provided with exhaust ports leading from the interior of the shell adjacent opposite sides of the artitions, separate self-closing valves contro ling said ports, engine-driven means for opening said valves in proper sequence, an oscillating partition movable about the axis of the shell and cooperating with the first-named partitions to divide the interior of the shell into four chambers each communicating with one of the intake ports and one of the exhaust ports,

and separate devices for sequentially igniting the explosive mixture in the several chambers.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of August, 1929.

REMI HELMLINGER.

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