Multi-cylinder engines

Details Multi-cylinder engines Multi-cylinder engines

1991-04-19

1992-06-09

Cross, E. Rollins

Internal-combustion engines

Multiple cylinder

Cylinders radiating

123 55R, 1231974, F02B 7522, F02B 7532

Patent

active

051197707

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
MULTI-CYLINDER ENGINES

This invention relates to multi-cylinder engines and in particular to engines having multiple cylinders in the same plane arranged in a generally radial formation about the axis of the crankshaft.
A common problem in engines with cylinders arranged in a radial formation is the coupling of more than one connecting rod to each eccentric journal of the engine crankshaft. Attempts to overcome this problem have been proposed, but there are various inherent problems with most prior proposals, particularly when it is contemplated incorporating those proposals in engines which require high power output from a small cubic displacement, thus necessitating engine speeds above about 2,500 R.P.M.
The general construction of radial engines of this construction has been disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos:
The disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,414 is of particular interest as it discloses the use of rings to retain the plurality of connecting rods in the correct operating relation to the single crankshaft journal, the rings being secured to the crankshaft to rotate therewith. It is appreciated that advantages in lubrication can result from the ring rotating with the crankshaft, however, substantial problems exist in the construction proposed due to alignment difficulties arising from manufacturing tolerances.
It is well recognised that in the manufacture of machines of all types "tolerance - stackup" is of major concern in maintaining operating clearances between relatively moving components. This is particularly so in machinery such as engines where plain bearings are required to carry high loads and high rotational speeds with small clearance.
In the construction disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,414, there is the usual situation where the connecting rod slipper has an internal bearing surface rotating relative to the crankshaft journal and an external bearing surface rotating relative to the retaining ring The clearance between the slipper and both the crankshaft journal and the retaining ring must both be maintained small for effective lubrication, and must also be sufficient to prevent locking up, particularly as a result of expansion under the high temperature conditions experienced in engines. It is to be noted that in the prior proposal the two retaining rings must each be accurately located with respect to the crankshaft journal and each other, but are rigidly secured to respective webs of the crankshaft at opposite ends of the crankshaft journal. Also bolts are used to effect the attachment of the retaining ring to the crankshaft webs, thus requiring aligning holes in the web and retaining ring.
It will be appreciated that it will be extremely difficult and also very costly to produce the various components above referred to while maintaning the very severely limiting tolerance necessary to achieve the required limited clearance between all bearing surfaces.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a construction of an internal combustion engine having a generally radial formation of cylinders, whereby two or more connecting rods can be coupled to the same crankshaft journal in a simple and convenient manner, which is effective in operation and relatively economic to manufacture.
With that object in view there is provided an internal combustion engine having two or more cylinders with respective pistons mounted for reciprocation therein, a crankshaft having at least one eccentric crank journal, at least two of said pistons having respective connecting rods coupling the pistons to said one crank journal, said connecting rods reciprocating in a common plane normal to the crankshaft and journal axis, each said connecting rod having a bearing section including an internal arcuate bearing surface in engagement with the said one journal and a co-axial external arcuate bearing surface, the internal bearing surfaces of the said connecting rods engaging said journal in a concentric formation about the journal with the external bearing surfaces also in a concentric format

REFERENCES:
patent: 683587 (1901-10-01), Badeker
patent: 1174459 (1916-03-01), Winckler
patent: 1316864 (1919-09-01), Poschadel
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patent: 1988119 (1935-01-01), Hill
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patent: 2226940 (1940-12-01), Meyer et al.
patent: 2533558 (1950-12-01), Chilton
patent: 2671436 (1954-03-01), Pitt et al.
patent: 2894414 (1959-07-01), Johnson

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