Two-stroke rotary engine with improved inlet and outlet ports

Abstract

A rotary engine comprising: a cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + l lobe receiving areas, where N > = 2, the housing having a pair of side plates axially disposed on first and second sides of the rotor, at least one working chamber formed in a space between the rotor and the housing, and having a discharge port and an intake port each having a top edge, the intake port and the discharge port being configured such that (a) when the rotor is in an angular orientation just prior to any opening of the discharge port by the given lobe, the discharge port and the intake port each have a top edge; a front portion of a top edge of the discharge port is contoured to a first corresponding portion of a contour of the given lobe, and (b) when the rotor is in an angular orientation when the discharge port is first fully closed, the profile of the tail of the top edge of the discharge port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

Description

Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 404,031, filed on September 6, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to intake port and exhaust port designs for two - stroke rotary engines. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an improved type of engine includes: a trochoidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by the silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N≥2. The housing has (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane that contacts the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions, forming at least one working chamber in the space between the rotor and the housing. The at least one working chamber has an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates. Such ports are continuously closed by the lobes during rotor rotation and are opened to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates. The intake port has a top edge and the exhaust port has a top edge. The improvement includes configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that: (a) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the exhaust port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe; (b) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the exhaust port is first fully closed, the profile of the rear portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0004] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an improved type of engine, the engine comprising: a cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N ≥ 2, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions to form at least one working chamber in a space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the lobes during rotation of the rotor and being opened to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that: (a) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the intake port by the given lobe, a profile of a front portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, and (b) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the intake port is first fully closed, a profile of a tail portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a type of improved engine, the engine comprising: a cycloid rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N ≥ 2, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an internal plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions to form at least one working chamber in a space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the lobes during rotation of the rotor and opening to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, where the improvement includes configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that: (a) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the exhaust port by the given lobe, a profile of a front portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (b) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the exhaust port is first fully closed, a profile of a tail portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (c) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the intake port by the given lobe, a profile of a front portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (d) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the intake port is first fully closed, a profile of a tail portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0006] In some embodiments, the exhaust port has an exhaust port area at its corresponding internal plane, the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding internal plane, and the exhaust port area is greater than the intake port area. In other embodiments, the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding internal plane, the exhaust port has an exhaust port area at its corresponding internal plane, and the intake port area is greater than the exhaust port area. In some embodiments, the exhaust port has an exhaust port area at its corresponding internal plane, the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding internal plane, and the exhaust port area is equal to the intake port area.

[0007] The area of the discharge port may be at least 50% larger than the area of the intake port. The area of the discharge port may be at least three times as large as the area of the intake port. The area of the intake port may be at least three times as large as the area of the discharge port. The area of the intake port may be at least 50% larger than the area of the discharge port. The area of the discharge port may be at least twice as large as the area of the intake port. The area of the intake port may be at least twice as large as the area of the discharge port.

[0008] In some embodiments, a partition wall separates the discharge port from the intake port. In some embodiments, the discharge port includes at least one bridging member. In some embodiments, the intake port includes at least one bridging member.

[0009] The engine may further include a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the at least one working chamber.

[0010] In some embodiments, the discharge port and the intake port are configured in the side plate such that when the rotor is in a position where the discharge port and the intake port are fully closed, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotation direction will cause the discharge port to open before the intake port.

[0011] In some embodiments, the discharge port and the intake port are configured in the side plate such that when the rotor is in a position where the discharge port and the intake port are open, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotation direction will cause the discharge port to be fully closed before the intake port is fully closed. Description of the Drawings

[0012] This patent or application document contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawings will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fees.

[0013] The foregoing features of the embodiments will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a photograph of a two-stroke rotary engine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 is according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 perspective view of selected components of a rotary engine.

[0016] Figure 3 is according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 exploded view of components of.

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic view of a working chamber defined by the working chamber boundary according to an embodiment of the present invention, the working chamber having an intake port and an exhaust port provided separately by a partition wall.

[0018] Figure 5a A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, both the exhaust port and the intake port are completely closed to the working chamber by the rotor, and wherein the rotor is in a position just before any opening of the exhaust port. Figure 5b A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is partially open and the intake port is completely closed to the working chamber by the rotor. Figure 5c A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is partially open and the intake port is completely closed to the working chamber, and wherein the rotor is in a position just before any opening of the intake port by the rotor. Figure 5d A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is partially open and the intake port is partially open to the working chamber. Figure 5e A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is partially open and the intake port is partially open to the working chamber. Figure 5f A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is partially open and the intake port is completely open to the working chamber. Figure 5g A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, the exhaust port is completely closed, and the intake port is partially open to the working chamber, and wherein the rotor is in a position where the exhaust port just becomes completely closed to the working chamber. Figure 5h A working chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein when the rotor rotates counterclockwise within a two-stroke rotary engine, both the exhaust port and the intake port are completely closed to the working chamber by the rotor, and wherein the rotor is in a position where the intake port just becomes completely closed to the working chamber.

[0019] Figure 6a According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 6c Graph of the intake port area against the crank angle for the intake port and exhaust port configurations shown in 6c (orange graph), 6d (blue graph), and 6e (grey graph). Figure 6b According to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 6cGraphs of the discharge port area against the crank angle for the intake and discharge port configurations shown in 6d (orange graph), 6e (blue graph), and 6f (grey graph). Figure 6c Shows an intake and discharge port configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the intake port has 75% of the total area of the sum of the intake port area and the discharge port area. Figure 6d Shows an intake and discharge port configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the area of the intake port and the area of the discharge port are equal. Figure 6e Shows an intake and discharge port configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the intake port has 25% of the total area of the sum of the intake port area and the discharge port area.

[0020] Figure 7 Is a discharge port separated by two support bridges according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0021] As used herein, if, upon an infinitesimal angular displacement of the rotor (by which the rotor first exposes a given port to a given working chamber), the exposed area of the given port is substantially the same (i.e., at least 90%) as the maximum possible area that could be exposed by the given rotor through this infinitesimal angular displacement, then the profile of the given leading edge of the given port "matches" the profile of the corresponding part of the given rotor. For example, Figure 5b Can be understood as showing an exaggerated version of the infinitesimal angular displacement assumed by this definition. In Figure 5b It can be seen that the area exposed by this assumed angular displacement is close to the maximum because the relevant profiles of the corresponding parts of the rotor match the relevant profiles of the given leading edge.

[0022] Similarly, as used herein, if just before an infinitesimal angular displacement of the rotor, a given port has been first completely closed to a given working chamber, and the area of the given port remaining exposed to the given working chamber is substantially the same (i.e., at least 90%) as the maximum possible area of the given port remaining exposed, then the profile of the given trailing edge of the given port "matches" the profile of the corresponding part of the given rotor. In this case, Figure 5g Shows a point in the rotation of the rotor where the rotor has first completely closed the discharge port, and the infinitesimal angular displacement just before this event can be imagined to occur at the instant before the rotor reaches Figure 5g The position shown.

[0023] Figure 1A photograph of a two-stroke rotary engine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the rotary engines described herein include, but are not limited to, the engines and aspects of engines disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,863,724; 8,365,699; 8,863,723; 9,353,623; 9,382,851; 9,528,435; 9,644,570; 9,810,068; 10,196,970; 10,125,675; 10,221,690; and 11,149,547, the disclosures of each patent being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0024] Figure 2 is of a rotary engine according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 Perspective view of selected components of a rotary engine. Here, the side plate 1 is mounted to the housing 2. During operation, the rotor 3 rotates within the housing, thereby creating a working chamber 12 defined by the working chamber boundary 6 relative to the rotor. In some embodiments, the intake port 4 and the discharge port 5 are formed in the side plate 1. In some embodiments, the intake port 4 is formed in the side plate 1 and the discharge port 5 is formed in a second side plate (not shown) disposed on the opposite axial face of the rotor 3 relative to the side plate 1. In other embodiments, the discharge port 5 is formed in the side plate 1 and the intake port 4 is formed in a second side plate (not shown) disposed on the opposite axial face of the rotor 3 relative to the side plate 1. In some embodiments, the intake port 4 is formed in the side plate 1 and in a second side plate (not shown) disposed on the opposite axial face of the rotor 3 relative to the side plate 1, and the discharge port 5 is formed in the side plate 1 and in the second side plate.

[0025] Figure 3 is of a component according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 exploded view.

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the working chamber 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the working chamber 12 being defined by the working chamber boundary 6 and having an intake port 4 and a discharge port 5 separated by a separator wall 11. Here, the profile of the front portion 7 of the top edge of the discharge port 5 matches the profile of the corresponding silhouette defined by the contour of the outer edge of the rotor 3. Also shown are the tail portion 8 of the top edge of the discharge port 5, the front portion 9 of the top edge of the intake port 4, and the tail portion 10 of the top edge of the intake port 4.

[0027] Figures 5a to 5his a sequential illustration over time of the rotor 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention as it rotates counterclockwise past the exhaust port 5 and the intake port 4. Each of the top edges of the exhaust port 5 and the intake port 4 has a front portion (7 and 9 respectively) and a trailing portion (8 and 10 respectively). We have found that in some embodiments, when the rotor is in the position just before any opening of the exhaust port 5, the profile of the front portion 7 of the top edge of the exhaust port should match the profile of the rotor 3, as Figure 5a shown. Similarly, when the exhaust port 5 is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion 8 of the top edge of the exhaust port 5 should match the profile of the rotor 3, as Figure 5g shown. Similarly, when the rotor is in the position just before any opening of the intake port 4, the profile of the front portion 9 of the top edge of the intake port 4 should match the profile of the rotor 3, as Figure 5c shown. Similarly, when the intake port 4 is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion 10 of the top edge of the intake port 4 should match the profile of the rotor 3, as Figure 5h shown.

[0028] In addition to the profile matching of the ports in the above manner, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the relative areas of the intake and exhaust ports exposed to the working chamber can be configured to support the desired performance characteristics of a two - stroke rotary engine. Figure 6c 、 Figure 6d and Figure 6e illustrate embodiments according to an embodiment of the present invention where profile matching is implemented for the intake and exhaust ports respectively, but where the relative areas of the intake and exhaust ports vary. For example, in Figure 6d the relative areas are equal, while in Figure 6c the exhaust port has approximately 25% of the total port area, and in Figure 6e the intake port has approximately 25% of the total port area.

[0029] Figure 6a and Figure 6b illustrate graphs of the port areas of the intake port 4 and the exhaust port 5 exposed to the working chamber at various rotor crank angles for the embodiments shown in Figure 6c 、 Figure 6d and Figure 6e respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 6a 、 Figure 6b 、 Figure 6c 、 Figure 6d and Figure 6e it is assumed that the rotor (not shown) rotates counterclockwise, and as the rotor rotates counterclockwise, the rotor crank angle increases.

[0030] Figure 6a illustrates for Figure 6c (orange graph),Figure 6d (blue figure) and Figure 6e (gray figure), separate graphs showing the intake port area (exposed to the working chamber) varying with the rotor crank angle. As can be seen in Figure 6c , Figure 6d and Figure 6e , the partition wall 11 between the intake port and the discharge port shifts to the left as the discharge port area increases.

[0031] Similarly, in Figure 6b is shown for Figure 6c (orange figure), Figure 6d (blue figure) and Figure 6e (gray figure), separate graphs showing the discharge port area (exposed to the working chamber) varying with the rotor crank angle. As can be seen in Figure 6c , Figure 6d and Figure 6e , the partition wall 11 between the intake port and the discharge port shifts to the left as the intake port area decreases.

[0032] Although the relative intake port area and discharge port area differ between the configurations shown in Figures 6c to 6e , the port timing variation with the crank angle is the same for each of these configurations. That is, all other things being equal, the crank angles at which the discharge port starts to open, the intake port starts to open, the discharge port becomes fully closed, and the intake port becomes fully closed are the same for each configuration shown in Figures 6c to 6e .

[0033] In addition, as shown in Figure 6c , Figure 6d and Figure 6e , there is a consistency in the shape of the ports presented in these figures. In other words, Figure 6c the shape of the intake port of Figure 6d and 6e can be understood to also largely characterize Figure 6d , Figure 6d and Figure 6e , but in Figure 6e , Figure 6d and Figure 6c , the partition wall 11 is located at successively later angular orientations of the rotor. Similarly, Figure 6e , Figure 6d and Figure 6c , the shape of the discharge port of

[0034] Figure 6aIt shows that as the relative area of the intake port decreases, the crank angle at which the discharge port is maximally opened increases. Additionally, as the relative area of the intake port increases, the rate at which the intake port area is exposed to the working chamber increases. Similarly, Figure 6b It shows that as the relative area of the discharge port decreases, the crank angle at which the discharge port is maximally opened decreases. Additionally, as the relative area of the discharge port increases, the rate at which the discharge port area closes relative to the working chamber increases.

[0035] Figure 6a and Figure 6b The curves in Figure 6c show the effect of shifting the position of the dividing wall 11 in the configurations of the intake port and the discharge port, and the accompanying changes in their relative areas. In Figure 6a , the dividing wall 11 is positioned in a manner that maximizes the relative area of the intake port, and thus its exposed area (plotted in Figure 6e ) peaks at a smaller crank angle of the rotor. Similarly, in Figure 6b , the dividing wall 11 is positioned in a manner that maximizes the relative area of the discharge port, and thus its exposed area (plotted in

[0036] Figure 7 ) peaks at a larger crank angle of the rotor. It shows an exemplary discharge port 5 formed in three different sections according to an embodiment of the present invention, where each section is separated by a bridge 13. The bridges 13 provide support for sealing elements (such as the face seals of the rotor 3) as they pass through the port openings and help guide the flow. The bridges can be used for both the discharge port and the intake port to provide support. Although Figure 7 it shows an exemplary discharge port having two bridges 13, a given port can have any number of bridges.

[0037] In some embodiments, the rotary engine disclosed herein further includes a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into at least one working chamber of the rotary engine.

[0038] The features of various embodiments of the present invention may lie in the potential claims listed in the paragraphs following this paragraph. These potential claims form part of the written description of this application. Thus, the subject matter of the following potential claims may be presented as actual claims in subsequent proceedings of this application or any application claiming priority based on this application. The inclusion of such potential claims should not be construed as meaning that the actual claims do not cover the subject matter of the potential claims. Thus, the decision not to present these potential claims in subsequent proceedings should not be construed as donating this subject matter to the public.

[0039] Without limitation, potential subject matter eligible for protection (starting with the letter "P" to avoid confusion with the attached actual claims) includes:

[0040] P1. An improved type of engine, the engine comprising: a cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by the silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N ≥ 2, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions to form at least one working chamber in the space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the lobes during rotation of the rotor and being opened to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that:

[0041] (a) when the rotor is in an angular orientation just prior to any opening of the given lobe to the exhaust port, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe,

[0042] (b) when the rotor is in an angular orientation at which the exhaust port is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0043] P2. An improved type of engine, the engine comprising: a cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N ≥ 2, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions to form at least one working chamber in a space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the lobes during rotation of the rotor and being opened to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that:

[0044] (a) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the intake port by the given lobe, a profile of a front portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe,

[0045] (b) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the intake port is first fully closed, a profile of a rear portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0046] P3. An improved type of engine, the engine comprising: a cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N + 1 lobe receiving regions for continuously receiving the lobes as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, where N ≥ 2, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) peaks disposed between each pair of adjacent lobe receiving regions to form at least one working chamber in the space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port communicating with the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the lobes during rotation of the rotor and being opened to the at least one working chamber as a given lobe rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port such that:

[0047] (a) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the exhaust port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe,

[0048] (b) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the exhaust port is first fully closed, the profile of the rear portion of the top edge of the exhaust port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe,

[0049] (c) when the rotor is at an angular orientation just before any opening of the intake port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe,

[0050] (d) when the rotor is at an angular orientation when the intake port is first fully closed, the profile of the rear portion of the top edge of the intake port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

[0051] P4. The improved engine according to any one of potential subjects P1 to P4, wherein the exhaust port has an exhaust port area at its corresponding inner plane, the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding inner plane, and the exhaust port area is greater than the intake port area.

[0052] P5. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P3, wherein the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding internal plane, the discharge port has a discharge port area at its corresponding internal plane, and the intake port area is greater than the discharge port area.

[0053] P6. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P3, wherein the discharge port has a discharge port area at its corresponding internal plane, the intake port has an intake port area at its corresponding internal plane, and the discharge port area is equal to the intake port area.

[0054] P7. The improved engine according to potential theme P4, wherein the discharge port area is at least 50% larger than the intake port area.

[0055] P8. The improved engine according to potential theme P4, wherein the discharge port area is at least three times as large as the intake port area.

[0056] P9. The improved engine according to potential theme P5, wherein the intake port area is at least three times as large as the discharge port area.

[0057] P10. The improved engine according to potential theme P5, wherein the intake port area is at least 50% larger than the discharge port area.

[0058] P11. The improved engine according to potential theme P4, wherein the discharge port area is at least twice as large as the intake port area.

[0059] P12. The improved engine according to potential theme P5, wherein the intake port area is at least twice as large as the discharge port area.

[0060] P13. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P12, wherein a partition wall separates the discharge port from the intake port.

[0061] P14. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P13, wherein the discharge port includes at least one bridging member.

[0062] P15. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P14, wherein the intake port includes at least one bridging member.

[0063] P16. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P15, wherein the engine further includes a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the at least one working chamber.

[0064] P17. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P16, wherein the discharge port and the intake port are configured in the side plate such that when the rotor is in a position where the discharge port and the intake port are fully closed, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotation direction will cause the discharge port to open before the intake port.

[0065] P18. The improved engine according to any one of potential themes P1 - P17, wherein the discharge port and the intake port are configured in the side plate such that when the rotor is in a position where the discharge port and the intake port are open, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotation direction will cause the discharge port to be fully closed before the intake port is fully closed.

[0066] The embodiments of the present invention described above are merely exemplary; many variations and modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in any of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An improved engine of a type, the engine include: A cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile, the profile being defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N+1 cam receiving areas, wherein N≥2, the cam receiving areas being used to continuously receive the cams as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) a peak disposed between each pair of adjacent cam receiving areas, at least one working chamber being formed in the space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port being connected to the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the cams during rotation of the rotor and opening to the at least one working chamber as a given cam rotates, the intake port having a top edge, and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port so that: (a) when the rotor is in an angular orientation just prior to any opening of the discharge port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the discharge port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (b) When the rotor is in an angular orientation where the discharge port is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion of the top edge of the discharge port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

2. An improved engine of a type, the engine include: A cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile, the profile being defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N+1 cam receiving areas, wherein N≥2, the cam receiving areas being used to continuously receive the cams as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) a peak disposed between each pair of adjacent cam receiving areas, at least one working chamber being formed in the space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port being connected to the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the cams during rotation of the rotor and opening to the at least one working chamber as a given cam rotates, the intake port having a top edge, and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port so that: (a) when the rotor is oriented at an angle just prior to any opening of the inlet port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the inlet port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (b) When the rotor is in an angular orientation where the inlet port is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion of the top edge of the inlet port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

3. An improved engine of a type, the engine include: A cycloidal rotor having N identical lobes, each lobe having a profile, the profile being defined by a silhouette of the lobe; and a housing having a corresponding set of N+1 cam receiving areas, wherein N≥2, the cam receiving areas being used to continuously receive the cams as the rotor rotates about an axis relative to the housing, the housing having (i) a pair of side plates axially disposed on a first side and a second side of the rotor, each of the side plates defining an inner plane in contact with the rotor, and (ii) a peak disposed between each pair of adjacent cam receiving areas, at least one working chamber being formed in the space between the rotor and the housing, the at least one working chamber having an exhaust port and an intake port, each port being connected to the at least one working chamber through one of the side plates, such ports being continuously closed by the cams during rotation of the rotor and opening to the at least one working chamber as a given cam rotates, the intake port having a top edge and the exhaust port having a top edge, wherein the improvement comprises configuring the intake port and the exhaust port so that: (a) when the rotor is in an angular orientation just prior to any opening of the discharge port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the discharge port matches a first corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (b) when the rotor is in an angular orientation where the discharge port is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion of the top edge of the discharge port matches a second corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (c) when the rotor is at an angular orientation prior to any opening of the inlet port by the given lobe, the profile of the front portion of the top edge of the inlet port matches a third corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe, (d) When the rotor is in an angular orientation where the inlet port is first fully closed, the profile of the trailing portion of the top edge of the inlet port matches a fourth corresponding portion of the profile of the given lobe.

4. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The exhaust port has an exhaust port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the intake port has an intake port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the exhaust port area is larger than the intake port area.

5. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The intake port has an intake port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the exhaust port has an exhaust port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the intake port area is larger than the exhaust port area.

6. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The exhaust port has an exhaust port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the intake port has an intake port area at a corresponding inner plane thereof, and the exhaust port area is equal to the intake port area.

7. The improved engine according to claim 4, in, The exhaust port area is at least 50% greater than the intake port area.

8. The improved engine according to claim 4, in, The exhaust port area is at least three times greater than the intake port area.

9. The improved engine according to claim 5, in, The intake port area is at least three times greater than the exhaust port area.

10. The improved engine according to claim 5, in, The intake port area is at least 50% greater than the exhaust port area.

11. The improved engine according to claim 4, in, The exhaust port area is at least twice as large as the intake port area.

12. The improved engine according to claim 5, in, The intake port area is at least twice as large as the exhaust port area.

13. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, A partition wall separates the exhaust port from the intake port.

14. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The exhaust port includes at least one bridge.

15. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The inlet port includes at least one bridge.

16. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The engine also includes a fuel injector configured to inject fuel into the at least one working chamber.

17. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The exhaust port and the intake port are constructed in the side plate so that when the rotor is in a position where the exhaust port and the intake port are fully closed, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotational direction will cause the exhaust port to open before the intake port.

18. The improved engine according to claim 1, in, The exhaust port and the intake port are constructed in the side plate so that when the rotor is in a position to open the exhaust port and the intake port, further rotation of the rotor in its normal rotational direction will cause the exhaust port to be completely closed before the intake port is completely closed.

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