Radial cam engine

Abstract

The described radial cam engine is composed of piston assemblies arranged in a radial configuration. Within an engine, a piston moves back and forth within a cylinder during an internal combustion process. The piston is connected to a follower which is guided and interacts with the central cam. The center cam is responsible for rotating the drive shaft. The radial cam includes three different cam profiles, each cam profile designed for a particular stage of operation of the engine. These profiles are specifically tailored for a compression stroke, a combustion stroke, and an exhaust stroke. By using different cam profiles for each stroke, the engine may optimize its performance throughout the combustion process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a radial cam engine. Summary of the invention

[0002] The radial cam engine described is comprised of piston assemblies arranged in a radial configuration.

[0003] Within the engine, a piston moves back and forth within a cylinder during the internal combustion process.

[0004] The piston is connected to a follower which is guided and interacts with a central cam which is responsible for turning the drive shaft.

[0005] The radial cam includes three different cam profiles, each cam profile being designed for a specific phase of the engine's operation.

[0006] These profiles are specifically tailored for the compression stroke, combustion stroke and exhaust stroke.

[0007] By using a different cam profile for each stroke, the engine can optimize its performance throughout the combustion process.

[0008] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Although there are any other forms that may fall within the scope of the invention, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a radial cam engine according to an embodiment;

[0011] Figure 2 shows a side view of a radial cam engine according to an embodiment;

[0012] Figure 3 shows a perspective cutaway view of a cam engine according to an embodiment;

[0013] Figure 4 shows an external view of a cam engine according to an embodiment;

[0014] Figure 5 A flywheel with an eccentric guide according to an embodiment is shown;

[0015] Figure 6 shows a side view of a cam according to an embodiment; and

[0016] Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 A stereogram of the cam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The radial cam engine 100 includes at least one radially arranged piston assembly 101. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine 100 includes three piston assemblies 101, however the number may vary in embodiments.

[0018] Each piston assembly 101 includes a piston 102 that reciprocates within an internal combustion cylinder 103. The piston 102 may include a piston head 104 that fits within the cylinder 103 and a rod 105. A guide follower 106 may be defined at the distal end of the rod.

[0019] The guide follower 106 is operatively engaged with the central cam 107. The cam 107 rotates in the direction shown by the direction indicator 112.

[0020] Cam 107 includes three different cam profiles including a combustion cam profile 108 , an exhaust cam profile 109 , and a compression cam profile 110 .

[0021] The angle of the combustion cam profile 108 is approximately half the angle of the compression cam profile 110. In addition, the angle of the exhaust cam profile 109 may be greater than the compression cam profile 110.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the combustion cam profile 108 may be between 50° and 80°, and approximately 64.5° in the illustrated embodiment.

[0023] Furthermore, the compression cam profile 110 may be between 110° and 150°, and in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 130°.

[0024] Furthermore, the angle of the exhaust cam profile 109 may be between 150° and 180°, and in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 165°.

[0025] The cam 107 may have a minimum radius at the exhaust cam profile 109 . Additionally, the minimum radius of the exhaust cam profile may be at a midpoint 111 of the exhaust cam profile 109 .

[0026] The cam 107 may have a maximum radius between the compression cam profile 110 and the combustion cam profile 108 .

[0027] The radius of the compression cam profile 110 increases with the angle. Specifically, the maximum radius of the compression cam profile 110 may be at the end 113 of the compression cam profile 110. Similarly, the minimum radius of the compression cam profile 110 may be at the start 114 of the compression cam profile 110.

[0028] The radius of the compression cam profile 110 may increase linearly with angle.

[0029] The combustion cam profile 108 may have a starting point 115 that is shaped to impart a greater tangential force vector component normal to the radius of the cam 107 than at an end 116 of the combustion cam profile. In other words, during internal combustion, the follower 106 applies a greater tangential force vector component at the starting point 115 of the combustion cam profile 108, thereby maximizing the rotational force on the cam 107 at the starting point 115 of the combustion cam profile 108. The tangential force vector component may gradually decrease toward the end 116 of the combustion cam profile 108.

[0030] Each follower 106 may include a roller bearing that engages with the cam 107 .

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, the follower 106 may be linearly guided within a guide rail 117. The guide rail 117 may be formed within a central plate 118. The central plate 119 may surround a portion of the exhaust chamber 119, and the central plate 118 may have an exhaust hole 120 therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rail 117 is formed on either side of each follower 116. In other words, although Figure 3 Only the guide rails on one side of the follower are shown, but in an embodiment, the guide rails 117 are also provided on both sides of the follower 116. In this regard, the guide rails 117 can be provided by adjacent side plates or the like, so that the follower 106 is evenly guided by the guide rails 117 on either side of the follower.

[0032] During the exhaust stroke, the head 104 of the piston 102 may move beyond the side exhaust port 122 of the cylinder 103 , allowing gases to exhaust into the exhaust chamber 119 .

[0033] The exhaust port 122 may be designed to define an opening that is proportional to the piston deflection. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the side exhaust port 112 has a generally triangular cross-section. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the side exhaust port 112 has a generally semicircular cross-section.

[0034] The piston assembly 101 is poised at an angle relative to a radius from the drive shaft 121. In the embodiment shown, the piston assembly 101 is angled at approximately 3° in the direction of rotation.

[0035] The engine 100 may also include an intake manifold 123 coupled to the cylinders 103. In an embodiment, the manifold 123 is injected with compressed air by the turbine. The manifold 123 may be defined between an outer cylindrical section and an inner cylindrical section 125.

[0036] A valve may couple the cylinder 103 to the manifold 123. The valve may be configured to close under compression during the compression stroke, and in this respect may take the form of a reed valve. However, when not under compression, the valve may open, allowing pressurized air from the manifold 123 to purge the cylinder 103.

[0037] The engine 100 may further include a fuel injector 126 that injects fuel into the cylinder 103. The fuel injector 126 may be timed to inject fuel near the top dead center position of the piston 102, such as when the follower 106 is between the compression cam profile 110 and the combustion cam profile 108. The timing of the fuel injector may be operatively coupled to depend on the rotational position of the cam 107.

[0038] See also Figure 4 , the engine 100 may be enclosed in a substantially cylindrical housing. The housing may include an air inlet 127 leading to a manifold 123 .

[0039] Engine 100 may be run on diesel, gasoline, vegetable oil, biofuel, or hydrogen.

[0040] At the start 114 of the compression cam profile, the piston 102 enters the cylinder 103, thereby creating compression. As alluded to above, the cylinder valve may be closed to seal the cylinder 103 either under pressure or by a timing mechanism coupled to the rotational position of the cam 107.

[0041] Near the top dead center position of the piston 102 (ie, between the compression cam profile 110 and the combustion cam profile 108), fuel may be injected into the cylinder 103 by the fuel injector 126. Preferably, no spark plug is required, wherein the air fuel mixture ignites under compression.

[0042] Ignition is timed only when the follower 106 of the piston 102 is at the start 115 of the combustion cam profile 108. As alluded to above, the shape of the start 115 of the combustion cam profile 108 imparts a greater tangential force vector component, thereby increasing the rotational force exerted on the cam 107.

[0043] The piston 102 moves out of the cylinder 103 while exerting a rotational force on the combustion cam profile 108 .

[0044] When follower 106 moves into exhaust cam profile 109, piston head 104 moves beyond side exhaust port 122, thereby allowing spent gases to escape into exhaust chamber 119 of engine 100. Compressed air within manifold 123 can flush cylinder 103 with fresh air for the next compression and combustion stroke.

[0045] In an embodiment, the engine 100 operates with a dual fuel mixture. The dual fuel mixture may include a mixture of gasoline and diesel. In this regard, the engine 100 may include a dual fuel injector 126 for each cylinder 103.

[0046] In an embodiment, these dual fuel injectors 126 may be timed differently, where, for example, the gasoline fuel injector 126 injects gasoline at the beginning of the compression stroke, while the diesel fuel injector 126 injects diesel later near the end of the compression stroke. Compression of the diesel fuel may cause the diesel fuel to ignite, thereby simultaneously igniting the gasoline-air mixture.

[0047] In an embodiment, the piston assembly 101 is electromagnetic. In this regard, the outer end of each cylinder 103 may include an electromagnet controlled by an electronic timing circuit to repel the head 104 of the piston 102. The head of the piston 102 may include a permanent magnet therein to increase the magnetic force applied by the electromagnet.

[0048] In an embodiment, the electromagnets may be controlled on or off. However, in a preferred embodiment, the current applied to these electromagnets may be controlled to proportionally control the force applied to the piston 102, depending on the rotational position of the cam 107. Thus, for example, a maximum current may be applied at the beginning of the "burning" cam profile 108, with the maximum current gradually decreasing toward the end of the cam profile.

[0049] This arrangement of the electromagnetic piston can overcome the counter-electromotive force / back EMF experienced by conventional electric motors.

[0050] Figure 5 An embodiment is shown in which the engine 100 includes a flywheel 128 having a central hole 130 for the drive shaft 121 so that the flywheel 128 rotates with the drive shaft 121 .

[0051] The flywheel 128 includes an eccentric guide 129 configured to retract the follower 106 against the cam 107. The eccentric guide 129 is eccentric relative to the drive shaft 121.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the eccentric guide 129 is a track that protrudes from the back plate 131. However, in alternative embodiments, the eccentric guide 129 may be recessed within the back plate 131.

[0053] In an embodiment, the eccentric guide 129 surrounds the roller bearings of the follower 106 , wherein the cam 107 presses outwardly against the roller bearings to drive the follower 106 outwardly, and wherein the eccentric guide 129 pulls the roller bearings inwardly to retract the follower 106 .

[0054] In the embodiment shown, the eccentric guide 129 is circular. However, in an alternative embodiment, the eccentric guide 129 has a profile that conforms to the profile of the cam 107 so that the follower 106 closely follows the profile of the cam 107.

[0055] The eccentric guide 129 may retract the follower 106 during the intake stroke, thereby eliminating the need for turbine injection of the intake manifold 123 , which may allow four-stroke cycle operation of the engine 100 .

[0056] The flywheel 128 may have a counterweight portion 132 that balances the flywheel 128 .

[0057] Figure 5 and Figure 7 shows that the Figure 1 1 and 2. The cam 107 shown in FIG. 1 has a slightly different geometry, particularly with respect to a flatter combustion cam profile 108 that is designed to work with a flywheel 128 for either two-stroke or four-stroke operation.

[0058] For the purpose of explanation, the above description uses specific terms to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that, in order to implement the present invention, specific details are not required. Therefore, the above description of specific embodiments of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed, because in view of the above teachings, many modifications and variations are obviously possible. Select and describe embodiments in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that other technical personnel in the field can best utilize the present invention and different embodiments with different modifications suitable for the intended specific use. The attached claims and their equivalents are intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A radial cam engine comprising a radially arranged piston assembly including a piston which reciprocates within an inner combustion cylinder and has a guide follower which is operably engaged with a central cam which rotates a drive shaft, the cam including three different cam profiles for a compression stroke, a combustion stroke and an exhaust stroke.

2. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The angle of the combustion cam profile is approximately half the angle of the compression cam profile.

3. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The exhaust cam profile has a greater angle than the compression cam profile.

4. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The combustion cam profile is between 50° and 80°.

5. The engine according to claim 4, wherein: The combustion cam profile is approximately 64.5°.

6. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The compression cam profile is between 110° and 150°.

7. The engine according to claim 6, wherein: The compression cam profile is approximately 130°.

8. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The exhaust cam profile is between 150° and 180°.

9. The engine according to claim 8, wherein: The exhaust cam profile is approximately 165°.

10. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The minimum radius of the cam is at the exhaust cam profile.

11. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum radius of the cam is between the compression cam profile and the combustion cam profile.

12. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The minimum radius of the exhaust cam profile is in the middle of the exhaust cam profile.

13. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum radius of the compression cam profile is at the end of the compression cam profile.

14. The engine according to claim 1, wherein: The minimum radius of the compression cam profile is at the starting point of the compression cam profile.

15. The engine of claim 1, wherein: The radius of the compression cam profile increases linearly with angle.

16. The engine of claim 1, wherein: A combustion cam profile has a start point shaped to impart a larger force vector component normal to a radius of the cam than an end of the combustion cam profile.

17. The engine of claim 1, wherein: Each follower includes a roller bearing.

18. The engine of claim 1, wherein: The driven element is guided in a guide rail.

19. The engine of claim 1, wherein: During the exhaust stroke, the piston moves beyond a side exhaust port of the cylinder.

20. The engine of claim 19, wherein: The exhaust port is shaped to define an opening that is proportional to the piston deflection.

21. The engine of claim 1, wherein: The piston assembly is angled relative to a radius from the drive shaft with respect to a direction of rotation.

22. The engine of claim 21, wherein: The piston assembly is angled approximately 3° relative to the drive shaft.

23. The engine of claim 1 further comprising an intake manifold engaging said cylinders of said piston assemblies.

24. The engine of claim 23, wherein: The manifold is injected with compressed air by the turbine.

25. The engine of claim 24, wherein: The manifold is defined between an outer cylindrical section and an inner cylindrical section.

26. The engine of claim 22, further comprising a valve between the cylinder and the manifold.

27. The engine of claim 26, wherein: During the compression stroke of the piston, the valve is closed.

28. The engine of claim 26, wherein: During the exhaust stroke of the piston, the valve opens.

29. The engine of claim 1 further comprising a fuel injector engaged with the cylinder.

30. The engine of claim 29, wherein: The fuel injector is timed to inject fuel substantially at a top dead center position of the piston.

31. The engine of claim 1 including three piston assemblies.

32. The engine of claim 1, wherein: The engine runs on a dual fuel mixture.

33. An engine according to claim 32, wherein: The dual fuel mixture includes a mixture of gasoline and diesel.

34. The engine of claim 32, wherein: The engine includes dual fuel injectors for each cylinder.

35. The engine of claim 34, wherein: One of the dual fuel injectors is timed differently, wherein one fuel injector injects a first type of fuel at the beginning of the compression stroke and the other fuel injector injects a second type of fuel near the end of the compression stroke.

36. An engine according to claim 35, wherein: The first type of fuel includes gasoline and the second type of fuel includes diesel.

37. The engine of claim 1, wherein: The engine includes a flywheel having an eccentric guide configured to retract the follower.

38. An engine according to claim 37, wherein: The eccentric guide surrounds the roller bearing of the follower.

39. The engine of claim 37, wherein: The eccentric guide is circular.

40. The engine of claim 37, wherein: The eccentric guide has a profile that conforms to a profile of the cam so that the follower closely follows the profile of the cam.

41. The engine of claim 37, wherein: The engine is configured for four-stroke cycle operation.

42. The engine of claim 37, wherein: The flywheel has a counterweight portion for balancing the flywheel.

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