Electrical generator or motor structure – Dynamoelectric – Reciprocating
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-08-21
Mullins, Burton S. (Department: 2834)
Electrical generator or motor structure
Dynamoelectric
Reciprocating
C310S034000, C310S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278204
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a method of converting a conventional internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine, into an engine which can be driven by electrical energy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of engines currently known in the art that can be driven by electrical energy. However, presently none of these known electrical engines facilitate the ready conversion of a conventional internal combustion engine into an electrically driven engine. Moreover, none of these known electrical engine designs are suitable for being provided as a kit of parts which allows the ready conversion of an internal combustion engine into an electrically driven engine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems and drawbacks associated with the prior art designs of electrical engines.
A further object of the invention is to facilitate easy conversion of a conventional internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline engine, into an engine which can be driven by electricity.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a kit of modification components which can be readily attached to a conventional internal combustion engine to facilitate conversion of the conventional internal combustion engine into an electrically driven engine via minor modifications to the engine.
A further object of the invention is to provide a modified rotor which sequentially electrically powers a first pair of associated solenoids and pistons for approximately 180° of the rotation of the crankshaft and then sequentially electrically powers a second pair of associated solenoids and pistons for the remaining 180° of the rotation of the crankshaft.
To meet these and other objectives, the present invention discloses a method for converting an internal combustion engine into an electrically driven engine. To this end, a cylinder head cover of the engine is removed, revealing the top surfaces of the engine piston heads. A cylindrical steel plunger is affixed to each piston head, preferably via a self-centering, semi-flexible coupling. The cylinder head cover is replaced with a modified cylinder head cover having a plurality of cylindrical cavities disposed therein equal in number to the number of engine cylinders. A solenoid having a central, cylindrical solenoid bore is disposed in each cylindrical head cover cavity. Each steel plunger extends into a different one of the solenoid bores.
Subsequently, two twelve volt batteries and a control unit are provided. The control unit is electrically connected to the solenoids, and, according to a timing scheme, sequentially activates the solenoids in pairs. When a pair of solenoids is activated, each draws in (or pushes out) its respective steel plunger via a generated magnetic field, moving an associated piston and turning an engine crankshaft. The timing scheme may be implemented by a mechanical distributor or an electronic controller.
The present invention relates to a method of modifying an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylindrical bores each housing a movable piston therein, each piston being pivotally coupled, by a connecting rod, to a rotatable crankshaft, and the crankshaft suppling an output of the engine, the method comprising the steps of: removing a cylinder head cover of the engine to provide access to each of the pistons; mounting a steel plunger to an end face of each one of the pistons located within a cylinder bore; attaching a modified cylinder head cover having an extended cylinder bore accommodating a solenoid therein, and each solenoid having a central bore for receiving therein one of the mounted steel plungers when each associated solenoid is energized with electrical power; and supplying, via a control member, electrical energy to the solenoids, in a desired sequence, to cause each associated steel plunger to be received within the central bore of the associated solenoid and thereby induce rotational driving of the crankshaft.
The present invention also relates to a engine having a plurality of cylindrical bores each housing a movable piston therein, each piston being pivotally coupled, by a connecting rod, to a rotatable crankshaft, and the crankshaft suppling an output of the engine, the engine comprising: a steel plunger mounted to each end face of each one of the pistons located within a cylinder bore; a modified cylinder head cover having an extended cylinder bore with each extended cylinder bore accommodating a solenoid therein, and each solenoid having a central bore for receiving therein one of the mounted steel plungers when each associated solenoid is energized with electrical power; and control member for selectively supplying electrical energy to each one of the solenoids, in a desired sequence, to cause each associated steel plunger to be received within the central bore of the associated solenoid, according to a desired timing sequence, and thereby induce rotational driving of the crankshaft to provide an output drive of the engine.
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Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Mullins Burton S.
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