Expansible chamber devices – With linkage or transmission having relatively movable members
Patent
1992-11-13
1994-01-18
Denion, Thomas E.
Expansible chamber devices
With linkage or transmission having relatively movable members
74129, 74143, 475 14, 1231971, 92148, F01B 900
Patent
active
052792099
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to linear to rotary motion conversion in machines such as reciprocating piston internal combustion engines and fluid pumps.
Commonly linear to rotary motion conversion in machines is carried out by a crank and connecting rod. Notwithstanding the many disadvantages of this mechanism, well known in the art, it is still the most accepted mechanism for obtaining this effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
International patent application PCT/AU89/00275, by the present applicant, describes a single bank radial reciprocating piston machine with a central rotating shaft, the reciprocating piston to rotary shaft connection being by way of a number of planetary lobe shafts. Each lobe shaft rotates about an axis orbiting about the central axis and each including a planet gear engaging an internal ring gear to effect their rotation proportional to their orbital rotation. Each lobe shaft further includes a number of equally angularly spaced apart lobes which, during rotation of the machine, consecutively engage consecutive pistons about the machine's circumference.
Although such prior art machine works effectively, the present invention may be considered as a viable alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in one broad form, the present invention may be said to consist in a machine having:
a central axis;
a plurality of lobe wheels each being rotational about is own axis and orbital about a common circular path centered on the central axis and each having a plurality of equally spaced apart radially extending lobes;
a fixed internal ring gear centered on the central axis;
a respective pinion gear driving each respective lobe wheel and engaging the ring gear, and the pinion gears all having an equal number of gear teeth;
at least one reciprocating piston slidable within a respective cylinder;
a radially reciprocable lobe follower for each piston; and
a respective lever arm pivotable about one fixed end and connected positively between each piston and its respective lobe follower so as to provide proportional synchronous reciprocation of the piston and the follower, and
the number of lobes per lobe wheel and pinion to ring gear ratio being selected in combination such that at spaced apart radial axes consecutive passing lobe wheels have a lobe which is at a maximum radial distance from the central axis and each follower is positioned aligned with a respective said radial axis.
Preferably each lever arm is connected to its respective piston by a connecting rod, and is connected to its respective follower by another connecting rod.
Preferably the lobe follower is constrained to follow the successive lobes in the outward direction by engagement of the successive lobes with a radially inner under side of the lobe follower, and constrained to follow the lobe in the radially inward direction by engagement with a cam ring rotating at the orbital speed of the lobe wheels and including an interior cam surface.
Preferably each lobe wheel and respective pinion gear are rigidly connected by a lobe shaft journalled in a radial web rotating about the central axis.
Preferably the pistons comprise a plurality of pistons arranged in two radial banks and the lever arms are arranged in pairs with each lever arm pivoting at one end being approximately centrally intermediate the two banks of pistons.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
By way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional sketch of an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional sketch of a portion of the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sketch of, in part, two cooperate components of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 4 is a sketch of further components of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a sketch of still further components of the device of the FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 7-9 show
REFERENCES:
patent: 1777179 (1930-09-01), Perlman
patent: 2417649 (1947-03-01), Johansen et al.
patent: 2779201 (1957-01-01), Hurley
patent: 3433172 (1969-03-01), Sola
Denion Thomas E.
Split Cycle Technology, Ltd.
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