Tangential internal combustion engine

Abstract

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine. The invention relates to a piston (5, 5 ') for a cylinder head, comprising two cylinders (7, 7') in the form of an arc in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a shaft (11), in each cylinder a piston (5, 5 ') is arranged so as to be movable from a position Pmin at a minimum distance from the cylinder head to a position Pmax at a maximum distance from the cylinder head, wherein the cylinders (7, 7 ') are arranged such that a movement of the piston (5) in the first cylinder (7) resulting from combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber (4) of the first cylinder (7) and a movement of the piston (5') in the second cylinder (7 ') resulting from combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber (4') of the second cylinder (7 ') take place in the same direction, a connecting rod (6, 6 ') is present on each side of the piston (5, 5') facing away from the combustion chamber (4, 4 '), which connecting rod is in the form of a circular arc in the longitudinal direction thereof, and an associated freewheel is present for each cylinder (7, 7'), the cylinders (7, 7 ') being further arranged in such a way that the axis of the shaft 11 represents the center point of a circle forming the circular arc of the cylinders (7, 7') and the connecting rods (6, 6 '), in each case, the axis of the shaft 11 represents the center point of the circle forming the circular arc of the cylinders (7, 7') and the connecting rods (6, 6 '). The side of the connecting rod (6, 6 ') opposite the pistons (5, 5') of the first and second cylinders (7, 7 ') is connected to the outer side (8, 8') of one of the free wheels and the inner side (10, 10 ') of the free wheel is connected to the shaft (11), respectively, the free wheels being arranged such that, in each case, the piston (5, 5') of the first and second cylinders (7, 7 ') is connected to the outer side (8, 8') of the free wheel. Movement generated by combustion of fuel in the combustion chambers (4, 4 ') of the cylinders (7, 7') and transmitted to the outer sides (8, 8 ') of the freewheels through the connecting rods (6, 6') of the pistons (5, 5 ') is transmitted to the shaft (11), and the freewheels each run freely in opposite directions and the outer sides (8, 8') of the freewheels are coupled to each other such that they perform movement in opposite directions, as a result, the movement of the pistons (5, 5 ') in the first and second cylinders (7, 7') takes place in opposition, to a method for operating such an internal combustion engine and to the use of such an internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle, an aircraft or a ship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a new internal combustion engine. Background Art

[0002] In the development of internal combustion engines, one of the main goals is to utilize the energy in the fuel used as efficiently as possible, ie to achieve the highest possible efficiency and thus save fuel.

[0003] Reciprocating piston engines are known in the prior art, in which the work generated by the expansion of the gases produced by the combustion of the fuel in the cylinder is transmitted to the crankshaft via a piston rod, wherein the piston rod comprises an articulated connection to each of the piston and the crankshaft (crank drive). Thus, the oscillating motion of the piston is converted into a rotational motion, i.e., a torque is generated.

[0004] One disadvantage of the force transmission in said conventional reciprocating piston engines is that there is a mechanical dead point due to the crank drive and that the transmitted force falls off sinusoidally as said point is approached.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further increase the efficiency of conventional internal combustion engines, thereby making fuel-saving operation possible.

[0006] From US 4,127,036 an internal combustion engine is known having at least one annular cylinder and a matching annular piston, wherein the cylinder and the piston are arranged to rotate about a central crankshaft. The circular rotation of the piston and the cylinder in a first direction is transmitted to the shaft by a feed device which prevents it from rotating in the opposite direction.

[0007] From US 5,025,756 an internal combustion engine is known which has a set of annular 360 degree cylinders, each cylinder comprising two sets of double-headed pistons. The piston set is displaced back and forth by about 45 degrees in the cylinder between two combustion openings spaced 180 degrees apart from each other. The back and forth movement of the piston set is converted into a rotary motion by four ratchet and latch mechanisms connected to a circular gear set.

[0008] From US 1,352,127 an internal combustion engine is known which has a plurality of cylinders arranged in a circle, wherein their axes are aligned in the circumferential direction and whose pistons are connected to oscillating elements, whereby the cylinders act in a synchronous manner, and wherein the oscillating elements are connected to the rotor via a suitable ratchet mechanism.

[0009] The invention is based on the recognition that the special shape of the cylinder enables the piston stroke movement produced therein to be converted directly into torque and that the transmitted force is therefore always transmitted tangentially, ie at a sine angle of 90°, to the shaft. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention thus provides an internal combustion engine having two cylinders 7, 7', which have a circular arc shape in their longitudinal direction, a piston 5, 5', and a shaft 11, wherein the piston 5, 5' is arranged in each of the cylinders so as to be able to move from a position P at a minimum distance from the cylinder head. min Move to the position P with the maximum distance from the cylinder head max , the cylinders 7, 7' are arranged so that the movement of the piston 5 in the first cylinder 7 caused by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber 4 of the first cylinder 7 and the movement of the piston 5' in the second cylinder 7' caused by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber 4' of the second cylinder 7' occur in the same direction,

[0011] Features

[0012] On the side of the piston 5, 5' facing away from the combustion chamber 4, 4' there is a piston rod 6, 6' and a freewheel associated with each cylinder 7, 7', each piston rod 6, 6' having a circular arc shape in its longitudinal direction,

[0013] wherein the cylinders 7, 7' are further arranged such that the axis of the shaft 11 is the center point of a circle defining the arc shape of the cylinders 7, 7' and the piston rods 6, 6',

[0014] The side of each piston rod 6, 6' opposite to the piston 5, 5' of the first and second cylinders 7, 7' is connected to the outer side 8, 8' of one of the free wheels, while the inner side 10, 10' of the free wheels is each connected to the shaft 11,

[0015] The freewheels are arranged so that the movement generated by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chambers 4, 4' of the cylinders 7, 7' and transmitted to the outer sides 8, 8' of the freewheels by the piston rods 6, 6' of the pistons 5, 5' is transmitted to the shaft 11 and the freewheels each freely run in opposite directions,

[0016] And the outer sides 8 , 8 ′ of the freewheels are coupled to each other so as to perform movements in opposite directions, whereby the movements of the pistons 5 , 5 ′ in the first and second cylinders 7 , 7 ′ also take place in opposite directions.

[0017] Due to the specific embodiment and arrangement of the cylinders and the specific conversion of the forces generated during the combustion of the fuel into torque, the internal combustion engine according to the invention can also be referred to as a “tangential internal combustion engine” or, for short, as a “tangential engine”.

[0018] The embodiment of the tangential engine enables the tangential forces to act and be transmitted at the maximum possible 90° sinusoidal angle throughout the entire operating process. The engine thus offers the advantage that a torque as high as possible can be achieved even at low engine speeds, i.e. a torque as constant as possible can be achieved at all engine speeds. This enables the engine according to the invention to achieve a higher efficiency and thus also save fuel compared to a reciprocating piston engine of conventional design. The engine also does not require a crankshaft and therefore has no dead spots caused by the crank drive in conventional engines.

[0019] The engine according to the invention "converts" the circular arc-shaped reciprocating motion of the piston displaced in the cylinder directly into the constant rotational motion of the shaft. Therefore, there is no need to deflect the forces through various components as in a traditional internal combustion engine. Therefore, the engine provides power immediately when requested, without any delay.

[0020] The internal combustion engine according to the invention can be of any size, from relatively small embodiments (such as the engine of a motorcycle) to motor vehicle, boat and aircraft engines, to very large embodiments (such as a ship engine). The compact form of the engine enables space-saving installation.

[0021] The engine according to the invention works on the same principle as a conventional internal combustion engine: force is generated by explosive combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber of the cylinder and converted into torque of the shaft, wherein the conversion is carried out in a novel manner as described above.

[0022] To this end, a combustible fuel-oxygen mixture (usually a fuel-air mixture) is introduced into the combustion chamber of the cylinder, compressed there and subsequently released at the piston position (P) with the minimum distance from the cylinder head. min ) is ignited near the cylinder head. The gases thus produced expand in an explosive manner and each time cause the piston to move in a direction towards the position with the greatest distance from the cylinder head (P max ) direction.

[0023] In the engine according to the present invention, the movement directions of the pistons in the first cylinder and the second cylinder are opposite, that is, when the piston in the first cylinder moves from position P min，1 Shift to P max，1 When the piston in the other cylinder moves from position P max，2 Shift to P min，2 .

[0024] Piston from P min，1 To P max，1 And from P min，2 To P max，2 The movement of is then in the same direction at different points in time.

[0025] The freewheels each have an outer side and an inner side and can be designed, for example, as an outer ring and an inner ring which can be locked relative to one another (drive mode) or can run freely (freewheel mode).

[0026] Via the piston rod of the piston, force is transmitted in each case to the outside of the freewheel associated with the cylinder, and the freewheel in turn converts the force into torque on its inside and therefore into torque on the shaft connected to the inside of the freewheel; i.e. in said direction, the freewheel is in drive mode (locked direction).

[0027] As long as the piston has exceeded position P max , then the direction of motion of the piston in the cylinder is reversed, that is, the piston moves in direction P min The freewheel associated with the cylinder is therefore in freewheel mode (freewheel direction).

[0028] The piston moves from position P max To P min The movement is caused by the coupling of the outer side of the freewheel which causes an opposite movement of the outer side of the freewheel and thus of the piston rod connected thereto and the piston. Thus, the "piston is brought back".

[0029] Each piston rod is arranged in a cylinder and guided in the cylinder in such a way that the rod can be displaced without hindrance within the cylinder.

[0030] Unlike conventional internal combustion engines which require an articulated connection, the piston rod may be connected in a fixed manner (ie rigidly) to each associated piston.

[0031] Furthermore, the piston rod may be connected in a fixed manner, ie rigidly, to each associated outer side, preferably an outer ring, of the associated freewheel.

[0032] The movement of the pistons in the two cylinders is generally such that when the piston of the first cylinder is in the position P at the minimum distance from the cylinder head min，1 When the piston is at the position P with the maximum distance from the cylinder head in the second cylinder max，2 .

[0033] Typically, freewheels are designed to include a complete inner ring and a complete outer ring.

[0034] Generally speaking, the cylinder, and therefore also the piston, has a circular cross-section.

[0035] The two cylinders are usually identical and, in particular, usually have the same circular arc-shaped piston path (stroke).

[0036] Preferably then, the piston, the piston rod and / or the freewheel associated with the first cylinder or the second cylinder are also identical to one another.

[0037] It is known that the longitudinal extent of a cylinder or piston path can be expressed in degrees due to its circular arc shape, where 360° corresponds to a complete circle.

[0038] In the internal combustion engine according to the present invention, the arcuate longitudinal extent of one or two cylinders is preferably greater than 60°, preferably greater than 90°, more preferably greater than 120°, and even more preferably greater than 160° relative to the circle defining its arcuate shape.

[0039] The arcuate longitudinal extent of one cylinder, or more preferably of both cylinders, is usually no greater than 180° relative to the circle defining its arcuate shape.

[0040] The arcuate longitudinal extent of one cylinder, or further preferably of both cylinders, relative to the circle defining its arcuate shape is preferably selected such that said extent corresponds to the maximum possible extent, for example between 170° and 178°.

[0041] In addition, in the internal combustion engine according to the present invention, the arc-shaped piston path of the piston in one cylinder, or more preferably two cylinders, is preferably greater than 60°, preferably greater than 90°, further preferably greater than 120°, and further preferably greater than 160° relative to the circle defining its arc shape.

[0042] The arcuate piston path of the piston in one cylinder, or more preferably both cylinders, is typically no more than 180° relative to the circle defining its arcuate shape.

[0043] The arcuate piston path of the piston in one cylinder, or more preferably in both cylinders, relative to the circle defining its arcuate shape is preferably chosen such that said path corresponds to the largest possible range, for example between 170° and 178°.

[0044] For example, a maximum possible range of the piston path of 356° relative to a complete circle or relative to a complete rotation of the axis can thus be achieved.

[0045] Further preferably, the coupling of the movements of the outer sides of the freewheel in opposite directions is carried out by a gear connection. The connection can be realized, for example, by gear teeth (in the form of a crown gear and a spur gear located therebetween) present on each of the disk-shaped sides of the outer ring of the freewheel facing each other.

[0046] Such a gear connection is easy to implement and offers high operational reliability.

[0047] Preferably, one or two cylinders are arranged just above the outer side of the respectively associated freewheel.This enables a simple connection of the piston rod to the associated outer side of the freewheel.

[0048] In one embodiment of the internal combustion engine according to the invention, the cylinders are arranged offset in the tangential direction relative to a circle defined by the axis of the shaft as a center point. For example, if there are exactly two cylinders in the engine, the cylinders can be arranged offset by 180°. If the cylinders have a longitudinal extent of 180°, then relative to a complete circle around the shaft, the second cylinder "starts" where the first cylinder "ends".

[0049] Typically, there is at least one inlet valve and one exhaust valve for each cylinder in the internal combustion engine according to the invention.

[0050] Typically, there is one spark plug per cylinder.

[0051] The internal combustion engine according to the invention may comprise exactly two cylinders, but may also comprise more than two cylinders. Preferably, there are multiples of 2 cylinders in the internal combustion engine according to the invention, such as 2, 4, 6 cylinders, etc.

[0052] For example, the internal combustion engine according to the present invention may be implemented as a two-stroke engine, or may also be implemented as a four-stroke engine.

[0053] For the embodiment as a two-stroke engine, scavenging, ie the discharge of combustion gases in the cylinder and the feed of fresh gases, can be carried out in a known manner, for example by cross-flow scavenging, unidirectional flow scavenging by means of a poppet valve, or for example by annular scavenging.

[0054] For the embodiment being a four stroke engine, then in one embodiment described herein, there are typically at least 4 cylinders, preferably there are two pairs of a first cylinder and a second cylinder with associated components.

[0055] Thus, the movement of the outer side of a freewheel of the first cylinder pair can be coupled to the outer side of a freewheel of the second cylinder pair so that the coupling is performed in opposite directions, wherein the piston in the cylinder of the first cylinder pair associated with the freewheel and the piston in the cylinder of the second cylinder pair associated with the freewheel are kinematically coupled to each other and perform movements in opposite directions.

[0056] In a similar manner, if there are more cylinders in the engine, for example 6, 8, etc., the movement of the outer side of the piston or freewheel is also preferably coupled.

[0057] The gears and bearings of the engine according to the invention are generally supplied with lubricating oil in a conventional manner.

[0058] If not explicitly stated already, all embodiments described as "typical", "usually" or "preferred" and relating to one cylinder and / or its associated components also apply, where applicable, to "typical", "usually" or "preferred" for all other cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The same applies to the cylinder pairs.

[0059] The invention also relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine in one of the embodiments described herein and to the use of an internal combustion engine in one of the embodiments described herein for powering a motor vehicle, an aircraft or a ship. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] Hereinafter, one embodiment of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] Figure 1 A front view of an embodiment of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is shown.

[0062] Figure 2 A view from one side of an embodiment of an internal combustion engine according to the invention is shown, in its entirety including shaft, freewheel and cylinder.

[0063] Figure 3 The overall structure of the shaft, free wheel and cylinder of an embodiment of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is shown. Figure 2 View from the opposite side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] The embodiment of the internal combustion engine according to the invention shown in the figures comprises two identical circular arc-shaped cylinders 7, 7', which have a circular cross section, in each of which there is a piston 5, 5', said piston 5, 5' having a circular arc-shaped piston rod 6, 6', said piston rod 6, 6' being connected to the side of the piston 5, 5' opposite to the combustion chamber 4, 4'. In each cylinder 7, 7' at position P min (i.e., the position where the piston is at the minimum distance from the cylinder head) and P max The piston 5, 5' which moves back and forth between the cylinder head and the combustion chamber 4, 4' (ie the position where the piston is at its greatest distance from the cylinder head) is sealed in a typical manner from the combustion chamber 4, 4', for example by piston rings.

[0065] The cylinders 7, 7' are arranged above an outer ring 8, 8' of one of the annular freewheels associated with each cylinder. The end of the piston rod 6, 6' opposite the piston is then fixedly connected to the outer ring 8, 8' of the associated freewheel by a connecting rod 9, 9'.

[0066] The inner ring 10 , 10 ′ of the freewheel is fixedly connected to a shaft 11 supported in a bracket 15 .

[0067] The cylinders 7 , 7 ′ are arranged such that the pistons 5 , 5 ′ moving back and forth therein execute opposite circular arc movements.

[0068] The freewheeling is arranged so that in each case the piston moves from P min To P max , i.e., the freewheels are respectively in a driving mode in which the outer ring is displaced in direction 13, and respectively in the opposite direction 12 of the outer ring movement (the piston moves from P max Shift to P min direction) to move freely.

[0069] The result is therefore that both locking directions are in the same direction, ie the shaft 11 receives the torque transmitted from the combustion processes of the two cylinders in the same direction.

[0070] The outer rings 8, 8' of the two freewheels have gear teeth on their disc-shaped sides facing each other. The gear teeth are connected by a spur gear 14, so that the outer rings 8, 8' of the freewheels are displaced in opposite directions, thereby causing the pistons transmitted by the piston rods to move from P to P in freewheel mode. max To P min movement.

[0071] During operation of the engine, a fuel-air mixture is fed into the combustion chambers 4, 4' of the cylinders 7, 7' via intake valves 1, 1'; the combustion gases to be discharged from the cylinders 7, 7' are discharged from the cylinders in each case via exhaust valves 2, 2'.

[0072] Ignition of the fuel-air mixture takes place via a spark plug 3 , 3 ′ present in the combustion chamber of each cylinder.

[0073] For example, ignition is in the first cylinder 7 of the engine at the piston P min Occurs at nearby locations, such as Figure 3 As shown. Thus, the piston 5 is displaced along a circular arc path in the first cylinder 7 by the force generated by the explosion combustion process, wherein the force is transmitted to the outer ring 8 of the freewheel associated with the first cylinder. The freewheel is in drive mode, so that the force is transmitted to the shaft 11 as a torque in the direction 13.

[0074] When the piston 5 reaches P in the first cylinder 7 max When the piston 5 in the second cylinder 7' is at P min , and the ignition in the second cylinder 7' occurs in the vicinity of said position. As a result, the piston 5 is displaced along a circular arc path in the second cylinder 7' by the force generated by the explosive combustion process, wherein said force is transmitted to the outer ring 8 of the freewheel associated with the second cylinder 7'. The freewheel is in drive mode, so that the force is also transmitted to the shaft 11 as a torque in the direction 13.

[0075] By coupling the two outer rings 8 and 8' of the freewheel, the pistons 5 and 5' in the first cylinder 7 and the second cylinder 7' are respectively moved from P max Return to P min , wherein the freewheels are respectively in their free-wheeling mode for said movement in direction 12 .

[0076] The cylinders 7, 7' are mounted on the support means of the engine 15 by means of attachment means 17. The freewheel associated with the second cylinder has, on its outer side facing the support, gear teeth 19 in which the gear of the starter motor 18 meshes.

[0077] The support device of the engine 15 can be anchored to the foundation by means of fastening screws 16. Furthermore, in the support device 15 there are bearings 20 for the shaft.

[0078] List of reference numerals:

[0079] 1. 1' intake valve

[0080] 2. 2' exhaust valve

[0081] 3. 3' spark plug

[0082] 4.4' combustion chamber

[0083] 5.5' piston

[0084] 6, 6' piston rod

[0085] 7, 7' cylinder

[0086] 8, 8' outer ring of freewheel with gear teeth

[0087] 9.9' connecting rod between the piston rod and the outer ring of the free wheel

[0088] 10. Inner ring of 10' freewheel

[0089] 11 Axis

[0090] 12 Freewheeling direction of free rotation

[0091] 13 Locking direction of freewheel

[0092] 14 Connecting gears

[0093] 15 Support device

[0094] 16 Fastening screws

[0095] 17 Cylinder bracket

[0096] 18 Starter motor

[0097] 19 Starter motor gear teeth

[0098] 20 bearings

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine having two cylinders 7, 7', one piston 5, 5' and a shaft 11, wherein the two cylinders 7, 7' have a circular arc shape in their longitudinal direction, and the one piston 5, 5' is arranged in each of the cylinders so as to be able to move from a position P at a minimum distance from the cylinder head to a position P at a minimum distance from the cylinder head. min Move to the position P with the maximum distance from the cylinder head max , the cylinders 7, 7' are arranged so that the movement of the piston 5 in the first cylinder 7 caused by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber 4 of the first cylinder 7 and the movement of the piston 5' in the second cylinder 7' caused by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber 4' of the second cylinder 7' occur in the same direction, Features On the side of the piston 5, 5' facing away from the combustion chamber 4, 4' there is a piston rod 6, 6' and a freewheel associated with each cylinder 7, 7', each piston rod 6, 6' having a circular arc shape in its longitudinal direction, wherein the cylinders 7, 7' are also arranged so that the axis of the shaft 11 is the center point of the circle defining the circular arc shape of the cylinders 7, 7' and the piston rods 6, 6', The side of each piston rod 6, 6' opposite to the piston 5, 5' of the first and second cylinders 7, 7' is connected to the outer side 8, 8' of one of the free wheels, while the inner side 10, 10' of the free wheels is each connected to the shaft 11, The freewheels are arranged so that the movement generated by the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chambers 4, 4' of the cylinders 7, 7' and transmitted to the outer sides 8, 8' of the freewheels by the piston rods 6, 6' of the pistons 5, 5' is transmitted to the shaft 11 and the freewheels each run freely in opposite directions, And the outer sides 8 , 8 ′ of the freewheels are coupled to each other so as to perform movements in opposite directions, whereby the movements of the pistons 5 , 5 ′ in the first and second cylinders 7 , 7 ′ also take place in opposite directions.

2. The internal combustion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that The movement of the piston 5, 5' in the cylinder 7, 7' is such that when the piston 5 of the first cylinder 7 is at the position P with the minimum distance from the cylinder head min,1 When the piston 5' is located in the second cylinder 7' at the position P with the maximum distance from the cylinder head max,2 .

3. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The arcuate longitudinal extent of one or both cylinders 7, 7' is greater than 60°, preferably greater than 90°, more preferably greater than 120°, and even more preferably greater than 160° relative to the circle defining the arcuate shape.

4. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The arc-shaped piston path of the piston 5, 5' in one or two cylinders 7, 7' is greater than 60°, preferably greater than 90°, more preferably greater than 120°, and even more preferably greater than 160° relative to the circle defining its arc shape.

5. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The coupling of the outer sides 8 , 8 ′ of the freewheel is performed by means of a gear connection.

6. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that One or two cylinders 7 , 7 ′ are arranged directly above the outer side 8 , 8 ′ of the respectively associated freewheel.

7. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The cylinders 7 , 7 ′ are arranged offset with respect to a circle defined by the axis of the shaft 11 as the center point.

8. An internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that For each cylinder 7 , 7 ′ there is at least one inlet valve 1 , 1 ′ and one exhaust valve 2 , 2 ′.

9. A method for operating an internal combustion engine according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. Use of an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for powering a motor vehicle, an aircraft or a ship.

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