Rotary monobloc engine

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary monobloc engine comprising: an engine block (11) with a receiving chamber (12) for a rotor (1), wherein the receiving chamber (12) has two lateral surfaces which are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner relative to each other and a circumferential surface (13) which connects the two lateral surfaces, and the circumferential surface (13) has an elliptical curvature in a direction parallel to the lateral surfaces, having a long ellipse axis and a short ellipse axis which runs perpendicularly thereto and which intersects the long ellipse axis at an intersection. Furthermore, axle receiving areas are provided centrally in the lateral surfaces at the intersection of the ellipse axes, and the lateral surfaces are equipped at least with openings of a channel (20) for supplying a combustion gas and a channel (21) for discharging exhaust gases as well as an ignition (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a monoblock rotary engine.

[0002] Internal combustion engines, as they are used to power vehicles such as automobiles, or as independent drive units, are predominantly designed as reciprocating piston engines. A piston arranged in a piston bore performs a translational movement with a bottom and a top dead center. Essentially, a distinction is made between engines that operate according to the Otto principle and the Diesel principle. What both principles have in common is that an ignitable mixture is created in a combustion chamber and compressed by the movement of the piston. The compressed, ignitable mixture is then ignited. When the ignitable mixture burns, the pressure in the combustion chamber increases, causing the piston to move in the opposite direction. The translational movement of the piston is converted into a rotational movement via the crankshaft, which can then be used to drive a vehicle, for example.

[0003] A translational movement is usually not usable for the continuous operation of devices, but must first be converted into a rotational movement. However, converting the translational movement of the piston into a rotational movement requires a great deal of mechanical effort. Furthermore, the up and down movement of the pistons gives rise to inertial forces that must be balanced out. This is achieved using counterweights which rotate, for example, in the opposite direction to the movement of the piston. Furthermore, the arrangement of the cylinders can balance the inertial forces. In a boxer engine, for example, the inertial forces cancel each other out. In in-line engines or engines with a V-arrangement, the pistons are moved in a defined sequence at different times to balance out the inertial forces and achieve smooth engine running.Reciprocating piston engines have been known for more than 100 years, so there is a great deal of experience in their design.

[0004] The Wankel engine, whose basic principle of operation is described in DE 952903, uses rotating rotors to convert the energy released during the combustion of an ignitable mixture into rotational motion. Wankel engines are characterized by their extremely smooth running, since only very low inertial forces are generated by the movement of an eccentric. Furthermore, the Wankel engine requires significantly fewer moving parts than a reciprocating piston engine and can be constructed very compactly. Disadvantages of the Wankel engine are its high fuel consumption and the sealing of the combustion chambers.

[0005] Trucks, cars, buses, and construction vehicles need new solutions. Electric motors require a power supply. Batteries and fuel cells are suitable options, but each has clear disadvantages. One obstacle is that completely new value chains must be created for them, not only in manufacturing, but also in maintenance and service, as well as recycling.

[0006] The object of the invention was to provide a motor with a very simple design, a compact structure, and in which a rotary motion is generated in a simple manner. This object is achieved with a monoblock rotary motor having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the monoblock rotary motor are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The monoblock rotary engine according to the invention essentially consists of an engine block with a receiving chamber in which a rotor rotates, about whose axis a rotational movement can be absorbed. Pistons are provided in the rotor which perform an up and down movement, i.e. a translational movement, in symmetrically oppositely arranged piston bores. The pistons are supported with one end on the wall of the receiving chamber. The receiving chamber has an elliptical surface, the curvature of which the piston follows with its adjacent end. In this way, the translational movement of the piston can be very easily converted into a rotational movement of the rotor.

[0008] The monoblock rotary engine according to the invention comprises: an engine block with a receiving space for a rotor, wherein the receiving space has two side surfaces arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another and a circumferential surface connecting the two side surfaces, wherein the circumferential surface has an elliptical curvature in a direction parallel to the side surfaces, with a long ellipse axis and a short ellipse axis running perpendicular thereto, which crosses the long ellipse axis at an intersection point, and furthermore, axis receptacles arranged centrally at the intersection point of the ellipse axes are provided in the side surfaces, and at least openings of a channel for supplying a fuel gas, a channel for discharging exhaust gases and an ignition are provided in the side surfaces, a rotationally symmetrical rotor received in the receiving space, wherein the rotor has side surfaces which bear against the side surfaces of the receiving space,and a rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface connecting the side surfaces of the rotor, and a rotor axis arranged centrally in the side surfaces, which is received in the axis receptacles of the engine block, wherein at least one pair of piston bores arranged radially opposite to the rotor axis are provided in the rotor, which piston bores have an opening on the side of the rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface and are connected at the end region opposite the opening to a channel which leads to one of the side surfaces of the rotor and opens into a connecting opening provided in the side surface, wherein the connecting opening is arranged such that when the rotor rotates it coincides with the openings provided in the receiving space of the channel for the supply of the fuel gas, the channel for the discharge of the exhaust gases and the ignition, and furthermore a freely movable piston is provided in the piston bore,which bears against the piston bore with a sliding surface and is designed to carry out a translational movement in the piston bore, wherein the piston further comprises a combustion chamber surface facing a first combustion chamber and a support surface arranged at the end of the piston opposite the combustion chamber surface, wherein the piston, in an outward position, protrudes with a portion from the rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface and is supported with the support surface on the elliptical circumferential surface of the receiving space.

[0009] The monoblock rotary engine comprises an engine block. This engine block is constructed of a suitable material that can withstand the forces encountered and is sufficiently thermally resistant. Materials commonly used in engine construction, such as cast iron, steel, or even aluminum, can be used. However, other materials are also suitable, such as ceramic or carbon-ceramic materials.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the monoblock rotary motor is made at least in sections from at least one ceramic or carbon-ceramic material.

[0011] A carbon structure made of suitable fine-grain graphite is highly thermally resilient and its strength increases with temperature. This structure also offers excellent dry-running properties, even with ideal friction partners made of technical ceramics, for example, through additive manufacturing, provided sufficient humidity is maintained in the housing. If the engine is preferably operated with green hydrogen, sufficient humidity is always guaranteed in the engine during combustion.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, water injection is provided in the intake duct. This measure ensures internal cooling, prevents hot spots, increases efficiency, and eliminates the need for a separate cooler.

[0013] As a further advantage, this enables thermal insulation of the engine against heat loss on the engine walls.

[0014] The engine block can be made solid. However, according to one embodiment, it is also possible to design the engine block with cavities or recesses, thus achieving material and weight savings.

[0015] The engine block may be crisscrossed by cooling lines to dissipate the heat released during fuel combustion. Lubricators for bearing lubrication and channels for supplying the lubrication devices may also be provided.

[0016] According to the invention, the engine block comprises a receiving space for a rotor. The receiving space comprises two side surfaces arranged on opposite sides of the receiving space, in the center of each of which a receptacle for a rotor axis of the rotor is provided. The side surfaces can be flat and arranged parallel to one another. However, it is also possible to provide the side surfaces with a curve. The curvature is then designed such that it runs rotationally symmetrically to the axis receptacle, so that rotation of the rotor received in the receiving space is possible. The side surfaces have an elliptical circumference.

[0017] Furthermore, openings are provided in the side surfaces, into which channels open which serve to supply a fuel gas or to discharge an exhaust gas produced after the combustion of the fuel gas. The channels are led through the engine block to the outside and, in the case of the exhaust gas, open into an exhaust, with which the exhaust gas is released into the environment, and in the case of the fuel gas, to a device in which the fuel gas is provided. Fuel gas is understood to be a gaseous mixture of an oxygen-containing gas, for example air, and a gaseous fuel. A device in which the fuel gas is provided can, for example, be an injection device with which liquid fuel is finely distributed in an air stream so that rapid evaporation takes place and an ignitable fuel gas is obtained.It is also possible to use a carburetor, in which air and liquid fuel are mixed to produce a combustible gas. If a gaseous fuel is used, such as natural gas or hydrogen, the fuel is mixed with air. For this purpose, a swirl chamber can be provided, for example, in which the gaseous fuel and air are swirled.

[0018] The openings for supplying the fuel gas and for discharging the exhaust gas can be arranged on the same side surface of the receiving chamber. However, it is also possible to arrange one of the openings on one side surface and the other opening on the opposite side surface.

[0019] Furthermore, an ignition device is provided with which the fuel gas can be ignited. The ignition device is arranged in a recess in the engine block, which is flush with the side surface and extends into the engine block.

[0020] The ignition can be designed, for example, as a plasma pulse ignition with a capacitive spark plug or a plasma jet ignition with a microwave technology spark plug or a laser plasma ignition.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a prechamber can be provided, in which an injector for supplying the fuel gas and an ignition device, for example in the form of a spark plug, are provided. Ignition then occurs in the prechamber, and the flame front subsequently spreads into the combustion chamber filled with fuel gas.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, nozzle-shaped openings can be provided at one end of the prechamber, with which fan-shaped plasma jets can be generated, which open into an ignition channel connected to the combustion chamber. Openings for supplying the fuel gas and for discharging the exhaust gas and for ignition are preferably arranged at the apices of a right-angled triangle, with the hypotenuse running between the inlet opening and the ignition, and the outlet opening being arranged at the apex of the triangle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, inlet and outlet openings as well as ignition are arranged at the corners of an isosceles triangle, wherein the base side runs between the outlet opening and the inlet opening and the ignition is arranged at the apex of the triangle.

[0024] The openings are arranged in such a way that when the rotor rotates they coincide with the openings provided in the rotor for the inlet of the fuel gas or the outlet of the exhaust gas or the ignition.

[0025] The two side surfaces of the receiving space are connected by a rotating surface. The rotating surface is arranged essentially perpendicular to the side surfaces. The rotating surface has a curvature in a direction parallel to the side surfaces, preferably the curvature of an ellipse. The curvature of the rotating surface corresponds to the movement of a piston, which it performs during one revolution of the rotor in the

[0026] Piston bore. Like the ellipse, the circle, as its special form, is perfectly symmetrical with the rotor axis at the intersection point of the long and short axes, providing the basis for perfect mass balance during rotation.

[0027] The rotating surface can be flat. However, according to one embodiment, it is also possible to form the rotating surface with a profile or a curvature perpendicular to the circumference of the rotating surface. The curvature of the rotating surface corresponds, at least in sections, to the profile of a contact surface at one end of the piston, which is arranged in the rotor and performs a translational movement. In this way, the piston can be guided and forces that may occur perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the rotor can be absorbed.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the sliding friction occurring between the piston end and the rotating surface can be replaced by reduced rolling friction using a bearing ball on or in the piston end.

[0029] Particularly advantageously, according to one embodiment, the curved rotating surface can be designed with coils for a magnetic field, whereby the piston ends are equipped with a permanent magnet with the same polarity as the rotating surface. This allows the piston ends to float on the magnetic field without contact above the rotating surface. A particular advantage is that this configuration can be used as a starter-generator.

[0030] The mounting space can be dimensioned as desired. The dimensions are determined by the intended use of the monoblock rotary motor, i.e., by the power to be provided by the monoblock rotary motor.

[0031] The available power is determined, among other things, by the size of the combustion chambers or the size of the piston bores in which the freely moving pistons are accommodated.

[0032] If the monoblock rotary engine is used, for example, to drive a passenger car, i.e. a vehicle with a mass of up to approximately 2 tonnes, the receiving space has a length in the range of 400 to 450 mm, measured in the direction of the longer axis of the ellipse, according to a further embodiment in the range of 500 to 550 mm and according to a still further embodiment a length in the range of 600 to 650 mm. According to a further embodiment, the receiving space has an extent in the range of 500 to 550 mm, measured in the direction of the shorter axis of the ellipse, according to a further embodiment an extent in the range of 400 to 450 mm and according to yet a further embodiment an extent in the range of 300 to 350 mm.

[0033] The difference in the extension in the direction of the longer and shorter axis of the ellipse corresponds to the stroke of the freely movable pistons arranged in the rotor.

[0034] The extent of the receiving space in a direction perpendicular to the side walls, i.e., in the direction of the axis of a rotor received in the receiving space, essentially corresponds to the width of the rotor. According to one embodiment, the receiving space has an extent in the direction perpendicular to the side walls in the range of 310 to 360 mm, according to another embodiment in the range of 250 to 300 mm, and according to yet another embodiment an extent in the range of 170 to 220 mm.

[0035] The intake chamber can be open to the outside of the engine block, allowing pressure equalization between the intake chamber and the environment. This makes it easy to prevent excess pressure, which can build up in a closed intake chamber, e.g., due to temperature changes. For this purpose, appropriate holes can be provided in the engine block, leading to expansion tanks or connecting to the environment.

[0036] According to one embodiment, a particularly small, compact design of the motor can be connected to a hydrostatic accumulator via a hydraulic pump. The hydrostatic accumulator can in turn be connected to a drive and braking system that has hydraulic wheel motors for the drive. During braking, the hydraulic wheel motors act as hydraulic pumps, so that almost all of the braking energy can be recuperated in the hydrostatic accumulator. The motor can then recharge the hydrostatic accumulator as needed, operating intermittently without load changes at a constant speed and constant torque at the best efficiency point.Modern hydraulic motors achieve efficiencies of 97 percent and are much easier to control than electric motors via hydraulic transformers, while simultaneously offering higher power density. This allows them to be used as wheel hub motors on all four wheels while reducing unsprung masses compared to a conventional braking system. The compact, lightweight design of the motor can preferably be combined with a removable solid-hydrogen storage system. A rotor is housed in the housing space of the engine block, which can rotate around its axis.

[0037] The rotor is rotationally symmetrical to its axis and, according to a preferred embodiment, has the shape of a disc.

[0038] The rotor can be solid, meaning it can be constructed entirely from a suitable material. Suitable materials include materials commonly used in engine construction, such as steel or aluminum. Other suitable materials include ceramic materials, particularly those with low thermal expansion and carbon-ceramic materials with self-lubricating properties for dry running.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor is made at least in sections from ceramic and / or carbon-ceramic materials.

[0040] It is provided that at least the surfaces of the rotor which are in contact with other surfaces, in particular forming sliding surfaces, are made of the ceramic and / or carbon-ceramic material.

[0041] Such surfaces include, in particular, the side surfaces of the rotor, which come into contact with corresponding surfaces of the receiving space of the engine block, and the surfaces of the piston bores, in which the pistons are accommodated and perform a reciprocating movement. According to a preferred embodiment, the rotor is constructed entirely of the ceramic and / or carbon-ceramic material. According to a further embodiment, the rotor can also have recesses, bores, or cavities in its interior to reduce weight.

[0042] The rotor is dimensioned so that it can be accommodated in the receiving space. Its width, i.e., its extension in the direction of the rotor axis, is essentially determined by the dimensions of the cylinder bores incorporated into the rotor. The wall thickness of the cylinder bore is preferably selected so that sufficient stability is ensured at the thinnest point to absorb the forces occurring during operation of the monoblock rotary engine.

[0043] Furthermore, the width of the rotor is selected so that its side surfaces rest against the side surfaces of the receiving space. A gap can be provided between the side surfaces of the rotor and the side surfaces of the receiving space, into which lubricant or coolant can be introduced.

[0044] The diameter of the rotor, i.e. its extension perpendicular to the rotor axis, is chosen to be smaller than the shorter axis of the ellipse, which describes the curvature of the orbital surface of the receiving space in the engine block.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the diameter of the rotor is chosen to be smaller than the shorter axis of the ellipse. According to one embodiment, the diameter of the rotor is 5 to 10% smaller than the shorter axis of the ellipse, according to a further embodiment, it is 7 to 15% shorter than the shorter axis of the ellipse, and according to yet a further embodiment, it is 8 to 20% shorter than the shorter axis of the ellipse. Pistons which execute a translational movement are accommodated in the piston bores of the rotor, with a bottom dead center at which the piston is at the shortest distance from the rotor axis, and a top dead center at which the piston is at the greatest distance from the rotor axis.

[0046] The diameter of the rotor is selected so that the piston is safely guided in the piston bore at top dead center.

[0047] The side surfaces of the rotor are connected by a circumferential surface. The circumferential surface corresponds to the circumference of the rotor. It is arranged essentially parallel to the rotor axis.

[0048] It is designed to be rotationally symmetrical so that a uniform rotation of the rotor is achieved.

[0049] In the simplest case, the circumferential surface has a circular curvature in the direction of rotation. However, the circumferential surface can also have a profile in the direction of rotation, for example, a wave profile.

[0050] In the simplest case, the circumferential surface can be flat perpendicular to the direction of rotation. According to one embodiment, however, the circumferential surface can also have a profile perpendicular to the direction of rotation. For example, the circumferential surface can have a curvature perpendicular to the direction of rotation, for example, a circular or parabolic curvature.

[0051] A rotational axis is provided centrally in the side surfaces of the rotor and is accommodated in the axis mounts of the engine block. The rotational axis can be formed integrally with the rotor. However, according to one embodiment, it is also possible to form the rotational axis separately from the rotor and to fit the axis into a corresponding receiving opening in the rotor. Bearings, for example, rollers or ball bearings, can be provided in the axis mount so that the rotor rotates in the axis mount without significant friction.

[0052] The rotor can rotate evenly and has no imbalance.

[0053] At least one pair of piston bores arranged radially to the rotor axis is provided in the rotor.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the piston bores lie on a common axis that runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation through the center of the rotor. The translational movement of the freely movable pistons accommodated in the piston bores also occurs along this axis. The inertial forces resulting from the movement of the pistons in the piston bores cancel each other out when the pistons move in opposite directions. This ensures extremely smooth engine running.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the axes of the piston bores, along which the translational movement of the pistons takes place, are tilted relative to an axis that runs perpendicularly through the rotor axis and lies in the plane of rotation of the rotor. Only a small tilt angle is required. The tilt angle included between the two axes is selected in a range from 0.1 to 10° according to one embodiment, in the range from 0.5 to 5° according to another embodiment, and in the range from 1 to 4° according to yet another embodiment.

[0056] The piston bores are arranged in pairs, resulting in an even number of piston bores. According to a first embodiment, two piston bores are provided. The piston bores are arranged rotationally symmetrically to one another.

[0057] In the case of two piston bores, the piston bores have swapped places after a rotation of 180 °.

[0058] According to a further embodiment, four piston bores are provided. In this embodiment, a rotation of the rotor through an angle of 90° is required to transfer the positions of the piston bores into one another. If six piston bores are provided in the rotor, a rotation of the rotor through an angle of 60° is required in each case. It is also possible to provide an even higher number of piston bores, for example, 8, 10, 12, or 16 piston bores.

[0059] A design with four radial piston bores halves the distance from piston center to piston center. This increases running smoothness and makes the torque curve even more uniform. This effect is enhanced when using an even higher number of piston bores, ensuring extremely smooth running.

[0060] The piston bores can have a circular cross-section. However, it is also possible to provide other cross-sections, for example an oval cross-section or an ellipsoidal cross-section. The piston bores each have a constant cross-section so that a piston accommodated in the piston bore can freely move and perform a translational movement. At the end facing the axis of rotation, which is recessed from the movement of the piston, the cross-section of the piston bore can change and, for example, taper. The piston bore can also taper at the end facing away from the axis of rotation.

[0061] The piston bores have an opening at the end facing away from the axis of rotation, i.e. on the side of the rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the shape of the opening corresponds to the cross-section of the piston accommodated in the piston bore. This allows the piston to protrude beyond the circumferential surface of the rotor at the top dead center of the translational movement, i.e., when the piston is at its greatest distance from the rotor's rotational axis.

[0063] However, it is also possible to provide the opening smaller than the cross-section of the piston. This is advantageous, for example, if the piston has a tapered section on the side facing away from the rotational axis of the rotor, which section is guided through the opening. The cross-section of the opening then advantageously corresponds to the cross-section of the tapered section. The support surface of the piston is arranged at the end of the tapered section, with which the piston is supported on the circumferential surface of the receiving space arranged in the engine block.

[0064] Furthermore, the piston bore has an opening at an end portion facing the axis of rotation, which opening leads to a channel which establishes a connection to an opening in the side surface of the rotor.

[0065] The opening provided in the piston bore is arranged such that it is not closed by the piston when the piston is positioned in the piston bore at its bottom dead center, i.e., at its shortest distance from the axis of rotation. The opening can be arranged in the side wall of the piston bore or in the end surface of the piston bore, which is located on the side of the axis of rotation.

[0066] The connecting opening arranged in the side wall of the rotor, which is connected by a channel to the opening in the wall of the piston bore, is positioned in such a way that when the rotor rotates it coincides with the openings provided in the side wall of the receiving space of the engine block of the channel for the supply of the combustion gas, the channel for the discharge of the exhaust gases and the ignition.

[0067] The opening in the side wall of the intake chamber and the opening in the rotor therefore act as a rotary valve, opening the passage of the channels at defined times during the power cycle—i.e., during the rotation of the rotor. At these times, fresh fuel gas can flow into the combustion chamber, be ignited, and exhaust gas can be expelled.

[0068] When the opening in the side surface of the rotor aligns with the ignition, the compressed combustion gas in the combustion chamber is ignited. The ignition can be provided in the engine block. In this design, only one ignition device or pre-chamber ignition is required for all pistons. However, it is also possible to provide ignition in the rotor. In this case, contacts are provided on the side of the engine block, i.e. in the side wall of the receiving chamber, and on the side of the rotor which align during rotation of the rotor and thus make contact with the ignition in the rotor. The monoblock rotary engine can also be operated according to the principle of a diesel engine. In this case, the ignition or the devices provided for ignition are omitted.

[0069] A freely movable piston is arranged in the piston bore provided in the rotor. The piston rests with a contact surface on the wall of the piston bore. The contact surface is formed by the circumferential surface of the piston, with which the piston slides along the wall of the piston bore. The gap between the piston bore and the contact surface of the piston is designed to be gas-tight. A seal can be provided for this purpose. This seal can enclose the piston and run closely along the wall of the piston bore. Alternatively, the gap can be chosen so narrow that a seal is achieved.

[0070] Preferably, the piston is constructed of a ceramic and / or carbon-ceramic material. Such materials are lightweight and exhibit only low thermal expansion. Therefore, lubrication in the gap between the piston and the piston bore may be unnecessary.

[0071] The piston has a combustion chamber surface that faces a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber surface corresponds to the surface of the piston that faces the rotor axis. The combustion chamber is formed by the wall of the piston bore and the combustion chamber surface. Combustion gas can be introduced into the combustion chamber, and exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber, via the opening provided in the piston bore.

[0072] A support surface is located at the end of the piston opposite the combustion chamber surface. This support surface allows the piston to rest against the peripheral surface of the receiving chamber formed in the engine block. Since the piston is freely movable in the piston bore, it can perform a translational movement. This also changes the volume of the combustion chamber.

[0073] The piston is moved outward by the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the rotor, and its support surface rests against the circumferential surface of the receiving chamber. The support surface of the piston can be smaller than the cross-section of the piston. The support surface can also take the form of a line or a point.

[0074] The rotation of the rotor moves the support surface of the piston along the circumferential surface of the receiving chamber. Since the circumferential surface has an elliptical curvature, meaning that the distance between the rotor axis and the circumferential surface changes during the rotation of the rotor, a translational movement of the piston is also induced in the piston bore. The piston reaches bottom dead center when the rotor is positioned so that the support surface is at the location of the smallest diameter of the ellipse. The combustion surface of the piston is then at the smallest distance from the rotational axis of the rotor, and the combustion chamber has the smallest volume. If the rotor moves further, the support surface of the freely moving piston follows the curvature of the circumferential surface of the receiving chamber in the engine block. The distance of the combustion surface of the piston from the rotor axis increases.This also increases the volume of the combustion chamber until the rotor is finally positioned so that the support surface of the piston reaches the location of the largest diameter of the elliptical orbital surface. The combustion surface then reaches its greatest distance from the axis of rotation and thus the combustion chamber reaches its largest volume and the piston its top dead center. If the rotor continues to rotate, the distance between the rotor axis and the support surface of the piston, with which the piston rests against the elliptical orbital surface of the receiving chamber, decreases again until a minimum of the volume of the combustion chamber is reached again at the bottom dead center of the piston, i.e. when the support surface of the piston has reached the location of the smallest diameter of the ellipse of the orbital surface. With further rotation of the rotor, the volume of the combustion chamber increases again until the piston again reaches its top dead center, i.e.the combustion surface again reaches the greatest distance to the rotation axis of the rotor and the combustion chamber reaches its maximum volume.

[0075] One rotation of the rotor can therefore be broken down into four power strokes. In two strokes, the combustion chamber reaches its minimum volume and the piston reaches the bottom dead center of its translational movement, and in two strokes, the combustion chamber reaches its maximum volume and the piston reaches the top dead center of its translational movement.

[0076] The first power stroke begins when the piston reaches its bottom dead center. The support surface is located at the point on the orbital surface where the diameter of the ellipse is at a minimum. At bottom dead center, the direction of movement of the piston in the piston bore reverses. If the rotor continues to rotate, the piston, driven by centrifugal force, moves outwards away from the rotor's axis of rotation. The connecting opening in the side surface of the rotor for the channel to the combustion chamber coincides with the opening in the connecting chamber of the channel for supplying combustion gas. This allows combustion gas to enter the combustion chamber from outside. The movement of the piston increases the volume of the combustion chamber and combustion gas flows into the combustion chamber. The combustion gas can be actively introduced into the piston, for example by the combustion gas or...Parts of the fuel gas are compressed beforehand, for example by means of a compressor or a turbocharger, or are sucked into the combustion chamber by the movement of the piston.

[0077] Once the rotor has rotated 90°, the support surface of the freely moving piston reaches its maximum distance from the rotor axis. The connecting opening in the side surface of the rotor, connecting the channel to the combustion chamber, has passed the opening in the connecting chamber for the supply of fuel gas, thus closing the supply of fuel gas. The combustion chamber is now sealed off from the outside. The second power stroke begins.

[0078] As the rotor continues to rotate, the opening in the side of the rotor that connects the channel to the combustion chamber remains closed, while the piston moves towards the rotor axis. The volume of the combustion chamber decreases until the piston's support surface reaches the point on the elliptical path of the orbital surface where the ellipse has its smallest diameter. The combustion chamber now has its smallest volume and the combustion gas reaches its maximum compression. The rotor has rotated another 90°. The third power stroke begins.

[0079] The connecting opening in the side surface of the rotor, connecting the channel to the combustion chamber, now aligns with the ignition device provided in the engine block or, if the ignition device is provided in the rotor, with the corresponding contacts. Ignition is triggered, and the fuel gas present in the combustion chamber explodes.

[0080] The explosion increases the pressure in the combustion chamber and the piston is pressed outwards away from the rotor axis. The pressure is passed on so that the pressure that the support surface of the piston exerts on the elliptical circumferential surface of the receiving chamber increases. This causes the support surface of the piston on the elliptical circumferential surface of the receiving chamber to move towards the point at which the ellipse has a maximum diameter. Since the rotor has an inertial mass, it moves past the bottom dead center of the piston and is accelerated. This acceleration is transferred to the rotor axis and can be absorbed there.

[0081] The rotor rotates a further 90° until the rotor's support surface reaches the point on the orbital surface of the receiving chamber provided in the engine block at which the ellipse has its maximum diameter. The piston reaches its top dead center, at which the combustion surface reaches its maximum distance from the rotor axis. The combustion chamber has reached its maximum volume. The fourth power stroke begins.

[0082] As the rotor continues to rotate in the direction of rotation, the piston's support surface moves further along the elliptical path of the orbital surface of the receiving chamber provided in the engine block. As the diameter of the ellipse decreases, the piston is moved in the piston bore toward the rotor axis, and the volume of the combustion chamber decreases.

[0083] The connection opening in the side surface of the rotor from the duct to the combustion chamber now coincides with the opening in the engine block of the duct for exhaust gases. The connection between the combustion chamber and the duct for exhaust gases is opened and the exhaust gases in the combustion chamber can be expelled. The piston finally reaches bottom dead center, where the combustion surface is at its smallest distance from the rotor axis and the combustion chamber has its smallest volume. This completes the fourth power stroke. The rotor has completed a rotation of 360° and has thus returned to its starting position. A new work sequence begins with a first power stroke.

[0084] During operation, the pistons rotating in the piston bores in the rotor perform opposing piston movements in pairs due to the guidance of the preferably hemispherical piston ends on the elliptical inner contour of the housing. Thanks to the symmetry, this ensures completely automatic mass balance during rotation and extremely smooth running. During one revolution of the rotor, all of the cylinders and their pistons go through the four strokes one after the other, based on the principle of a gasoline or diesel engine. This happens in sequential order, i.e. in a configuration with, for example, four cylinders in a monoblock rotor, each cylinder and its piston is in a different one of the four strokes. This means that in this case four power strokes take place within one rotor revolution. This only requires one spark plug in the ignition channel and one gas injector in the intake channel with external mixture preparation.Direct gas injection for internal mixture preparation is also possible, with an opposing axial bore for each cylinder for a direct gas injector in the gas injector channel on the opposite side of the housing. In the simplest design, two piston bores are provided in the rotor. These can be interleaved by rotating the rotor through an angle of 180°. The pistons of the pair each move uniformly toward or away from the rotor axis.

[0085] This cancels out the inertial forces generated by the piston movement. This results in extremely smooth engine running.

[0086] However, it is also possible to provide more than one pair of oppositely arranged piston bores in the rotor.

[0087] According to one embodiment, four piston bores are provided in the rotor, each of which accommodates freely movable pistons. According to one embodiment, the piston bores are arranged in the shape of a cross, i.e., adjacent piston bores can be transferred into one another by rotating the rotor through an angle of 90°.

[0088] The engine block can be designed as described above and does not require any additional channels for the supply of the fuel gas, the discharge of the exhaust gas or the ignition.

[0089] A channel is provided on the rotor for each bore, which opens into a connecting opening arranged on the side surface of the rotor.

[0090] However, it is also possible to provide 3, 4, or even more pairs of piston bores. The piston bores are arranged in a star pattern in the rotor. The piston bores are arranged rotationally symmetrically to one another.

[0091] The piston bores preferably have a circular cross-section. However, other cross-sections are also possible, for example, an oval cross-section. The combustion chamber surface of the freely movable piston accommodated in the piston bore can be flat. However, it is also possible to make the combustion chamber surface curved or to provide raised structures on the combustion chamber surface, for example, to induce a specific movement of the combustion gas in the combustion chamber.

[0092] As described above, the filling of the combustion chamber with fuel gas or the discharge of the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is controlled by a rotary valve control in that the connecting opening provided in the rotor is guided past the openings of the channel for the supply of the fuel gas and / or the channel for the discharge of the exhaust gas provided in the side surfaces of the receiving chamber and thereby the connection to the combustion chamber is established.

[0093] This also applies to the ignition channel, into which the active pre-chamber ignition with the plasma jets, which may be fanned out at their end via nozzle openings and which extend laterally far into the combustion chamber, is fed in order to ignite as many clusters as possible simultaneously in order to approach the ideal of constant volume combustion, particularly for operation with hydrogen gas.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the openings in the side wall of the receiving space or the connecting opening in the side surface of the rotor are circular.

[0095] However, it is also possible to design the openings in a different shape. For example, the openings can be designed with a rectangular or oval perimeter.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the openings of the channel for supplying the fuel gas and / or the channel for discharging the exhaust gas provided in the side surfaces of the receiving space of the engine block are designed as arcuate elongated holes.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the curvature of the elongated holes is circular. Thus, the opening provided in the rotor follows the shape of the elongated hole in the side wall of the receiving space.

[0098] However, it is also possible to design the rotor's connecting opening as an arcuate slot. This also provides a longer time period per revolution for the supply and discharge of the fuel gas or exhaust gas.

[0099] The freely movable piston can be designed such that the support surface is designed as a sliding surface which slides along the circumferential surface of the receiving space.

[0100] The friction between the support surface and the rotating surface can be reduced by providing a holder for a rotating body on the side of the support surface of the piston, in which a rotating body is received and the piston is supported via the rotating body on the rotating surface of the receiving space in the engine block.

[0101] The rotating body then rolls along the orbital surface of the receiving space.

[0102] The rotating body can be a roller or a sphere.

[0103] The spherical shape also allows the piston to move around its longitudinal axis, thus allowing the freely movable piston to "run in".

[0104] The axis of the rolling body, around which it moves when moving along the rotating surface of the receiving chamber, can lie on the longitudinal axis of the piston. The longitudinal axis of the piston and the rotational axis of the rotating body then intersect.

[0105] According to a further embodiment, the axis of rotation of the rotating body can also be arranged in front of or behind the longitudinal axis of the piston, seen in the direction of rotation of the rotor.

[0106] The piston is freely movable in the piston bore and is pressed against the elliptical circumferential surface of the receiving chamber by the centrifugal force of the rotating rotor or by the pressure generated in the combustion chamber.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the freely movable pistons, along which the translational movement of the pistons takes place, is tilted relative to the normal of the circumferential surface of the receiving space of the engine block.

[0108] When the piston's support surface is pressed against the circumferential surface of the receiving chamber in the engine block by the pressure developed during combustion of the fuel gas in the combustion chamber, a force component tangential to the circumferential surface of the receiving chamber is generated. This causes the rotor to rotate.

[0109] Only a small tilt angle is necessary to support the rotational movement of the rotor in the direction of rotation by placing and supporting, for example, the ball as a rolling body at the end of the piston.

[0110] If the motor is operated at the best efficiency point with constant speed and constant torque, the tilt angle can be optimized with regard to the Coriolis force that occurs.

[0111] The tilt angle to the normal of the orbital surface is selected according to one embodiment in a range from 0.1 to 10 ° , according to another embodiment in the range from 0.5 to 5 ° , and according to yet another embodiment in the range from 1 to 4 ° .

[0112] Spark plugs, such as those used in conventional Otto engines, can be used to ignite the fuel gas. According to another embodiment, the ignition is designed as a plasma ignition system.

[0113] Spark plugs with an integrated capacitive subsystem are used to trigger a plasma pulse of preferably two to three nanoseconds, preferably approximately five megawatts, after the spark has reached the flashover voltage thanks to the stored energy. Particularly advantageous is the fact that the ignition can also be achieved using the already known pure plasma ignition system, which is virtually wear-free. With the wide ignition limits, this engine can be operated lean and unthrottled.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the ignition arranged in the engine block can comprise an ignition channel in which the ignition is arranged. According to one embodiment, the ignition is designed as an active prechamber plasma ignition. According to one embodiment, the ignition is equipped with a capacitive plasma pulse spark plug or with a plasma spark plug designed using miniaturized microwave technology, which sends the plasma jet, fanned out at the end of the prechamber, deep into the combustion chamber. In this way, complete, uniform-space combustion can be achieved in lean operation.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the ignition, for example a spark plug, and the gas injector for the small amount of gas for the pre-chamber ignition are arranged close to one another in the pre-chamber.

[0116] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the engine block and the rotor are constructed at least in sections from a diamond-like carbon material, wherein at least the surfaces of the receiving space, the rotor and the pistons which bear against another surface are formed from the diamond-like carbon material.

[0117] According to a further embodiment, the rotor and / or the engine block is constructed from the diamond-like carbon material.

[0118] The preferred diamond-like carbon material is also called "isostatic graphite".

[0119] Isostatic graphite is a fine-grained graphite for specific applications where the mechanical properties of other fine-grained graphites are insufficient.

[0120] The term "isostatic graphite" stands for isostatically formed graphite. This means that the raw material mixture is compacted in a so-called cold isostatic press (CIP) into rectangular or round blocks, for example.

[0121] Compared to other techniques, this technology can produce the most isotropic form of synthetic graphite. Furthermore, isostatic graphites generally have the smallest grain sizes of all artificial graphites.

[0122] The production of isostatic graphite began in the 1960s. This isostatic graphite is known for applications in the nuclear and metallurgical industries, for example. Typical properties of isostatic graphite are:

[0123] - Extremely high thermal and chemical resistance

[0124] - Excellent resistance to thermal shock

[0125] - High electrical conductivity

[0126] - High thermal conductivity

[0127] - Increasing strength with increasing temperature

[0128] - Easy to edit

[0129] - Can be produced in very high purity < 5 ppm

[0130] Such a material is offered, for example, by SGL Carbon under the name SIGRAFINE®.

[0131] The density of isostatic graphite is preferably in the range of 1.7 to 1.86 kg / m 3 .

[0132] Isostatic graphite has a characteristic appearance . This can be determined, for example, using surface microscopy

[0133] Isostatic graphite exhibits very high heat resistance and can withstand high thermal stresses. Furthermore, it practically does not expand when heated. Thus, surfaces made of isostatic graphite that slide past each other require no lubrication or cooling.

[0134] If both the walls of the piston bores and the contact surfaces of the pistons on the piston bores are made of isostatic graphite, the pistons can advantageously be designed without piston rings or oil control rings.

[0135] Lubrication is unnecessary in the thermally insulated, multiple-expansion hydrogen engine as a zero-emission unit. According to one embodiment, the monoblock rotor and piston are designed without lubrication.

[0136] The monobloc rotary engine can also be operated as a double-acting hot gas engine according to the Stirling principle, similar to the arrangement by Sir William Siemens. For this purpose, double-acting pistons are each provided with piston rods which protrude radially from the monobloc rotor in a sealed manner and are guided by the elliptical inner contour of the housing. Additional axial bores in the cylinders near the circumference of the rotor ensure that the gas is guided, including on the underside of the double-acting pistons, in conjunction with the corresponding additional inlet and outlet channels with pocket-shaped recesses in the housing cover. The undersides of the pistons always work with the cool gas, which makes it easier to seal the piston rods leading out of the rotor. In the tried and tested rotary valve control, each underside of the piston is connected to the top side of its neighboring cylinder via a cooler, regenerator and heater on the housing cover.This results in a perfect interaction with four cylinders with a 90 degree distance from cylinder center to cylinder center, whereby the common heater on the top of the housing can be operated with green hydrogen and / or very advantageously directly with solar thermal energy.

[0137] According to a further embodiment, the piston tapers on the side of the support surface to form an extension section which is guided in a gas-tight manner through the circumferential surface of the rotor and which is supported with its end on the elliptical circumferential surface of the receiving space of the engine block. In particular, it is provided that on the side of the extension section a second combustion chamber, i.e. an expansion and compression chamber, is formed in the piston bore and the second combustion chamber, i.e. the expansion and compression chamber, is connected to a transfer channel which is preferably connected to a cooler or heater or regenerator in order to carry out the gas exchange, wherein a common heat source in the form of a pore burner can advantageously be used.

[0138] Thanks to its compact, lightweight design, smooth running, quiet operation and high efficiency, the monoblock rotary engine is ideal for use in road vehicles. The robust yet compact design of the monoblock rotary engine also makes it a cost-effective alternative to fuel cell heating and for combined heat and power in midi, mini and micro combined heat and power plants. The advantageous use of additive manufacturing methods and net-shape production such as the pressed-to-size (PTS) process for the few moving engine components result in significant cost advantages even with relatively low quantities. This makes it possible to use the monoblock rotary engine to create mini and micro combined heat and power plants that can compete with gas condensing boilers and replace them in the short to medium term with a steadily growing proportion of green hydrogen in the existing natural gas network for operation.

[0139] A further subject of the invention is therefore a method for providing a rotary motion, wherein a monoblock rotary engine as described above is provided, a fuel gas is introduced into the combustion chamber of the monoblock rotary engine and caused to explode. Particularly preferably, the fuel contains hydrogen gas.

[0140] It is particularly advantageous when pure oxygen is used for fuel combustion. For this purpose, existing MIEC (Mixed Ionic Electronic Conductor) membranes can be connected to the engine, enabling the selective separation of oxygen from the air. This results in the combustion producing only pure water vapor as exhaust gas. Furthermore, sufficient oxygen is always available for combustion. The hydrogen monoblock rotary engine is thus the climate-neutral internal combustion engine.

[0141] The hydrogen engine integrates almost perfectly into existing structures and replaces diesel and gasoline engines. While batteries and fuel cells gradually wear out after a few years, the H2 engine can serve reliably for decades. Dust, temperature fluctuations, and harsh everyday use are unaffected. All of this should tip the scales in favor of the H2 engine for most applications, which, moreover, already matches and even exceeds the efficiency of the mobile fuel cell at high loads.

[0142] If the monoblock rotary motor is made of isostatic graphite, the operating temperature can be reached quickly.

[0143] Due to the sequential sequence of all strokes in the piston bores with their pistons, according to one embodiment, water can advantageously be injected into each cylinder after each exhaust stroke. This water is immediately converted into steam, which expands and moves the pistons and the monoblock rotor. The water condensate from the hydrogen combustion and water injection can advantageously be reused. The water injection also ensures that this "internal cooling" prevents hot spots where hydrogen gas could self-ignite if used.

[0144] A sensor for internal engine temperature monitoring can advantageously be coupled with the water injection in order to keep the temperature below the relatively high hydrogen ignition temperature.

[0145] Thermal insulation of the motor housing provided according to one embodiment can be very advantageous in order to minimize heat losses to the outside and to further increase efficiency.

[0146] According to a further advantageous embodiment, in particular if complete thermal insulation of the engine housing is provided, a second monoblock rotary engine can be coupled to the shaft of the first as a pure expansion engine in such a way that the exhaust duct of the first engine is connected to the inlet duct of the second engine for additional expansion and to increase the overall efficiency.

[0147] This makes it possible to realize, for the first time, a thermally insulated multiple expansion engine (“TIME Engine”) with great advantage.

[0148] The invention therefore also relates to a drive unit comprising two coupled monoblock rotary motors, as described above. A first monoblock rotary motor is designed as a high-pressure rotary motor, and a second monoblock rotary motor is designed as a low-pressure rotary motor. The high-pressure motor is designed as a monoblock rotary motor, as described above. The low-pressure rotary motor is designed as a pure expansion motor.

[0149] The low-pressure rotary engine is essentially identical in construction to the high-pressure rotary engine. However, the low-pressure engine is not supplied with fuel gas, but rather with the exhaust gas generated in the first monoblock rotary engine (high-pressure rotary engine) and still under a certain residual pressure. This residual pressure of the exhaust gas is used in the second monoblock rotary engine to convert the energy contained in the exhaust gas into rotation of the rotor of the second monoblock rotary engine. The second monoblock rotary engine therefore requires no ignition or fuel gas supply.

[0150] The first and second monoblock rotary engines are connected via a common drive shaft. The dimensions of the expansion chambers of the second monoblock rotary engine are determined by the exhaust gas volume of the first monoblock rotary engine and the residual pressure of the exhaust gas.

[0151] For this purpose, the exhaust gas discharge of the first monoblock rotary engine is connected to a gas supply of the second monoblock rotary engine, so that the exhaust gas of the first monoblock rotary engine is introduced into combustion chambers of the second monoblock rotary engine, which are designed as pure expansion chambers.

[0152] Together with a second rotor on the same shaft as the first, this embodiment advantageously results in multiple expansion of the introduced exhaust gas flow. These measures result in an overall efficiency of well over 70 percent in this zero-emission hydrogen combustion engine. It is therefore better than all known combustion engines and better than the fuel cell. According to a preferred embodiment, at least the first monoblock rotary engine is provided with thermal insulation so that the heat generated in the monoblock rotary engine remains primarily in the exhaust gas and can be used to increase the residual pressure of the exhaust gas.

[0153] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. The figures of the drawing show:

[0154] Fig. 1: a schematic three-dimensional representation of a rotor of the monoblock rotary engine;

[0155] Fig. 2: a schematic three-dimensional representation of a rotor of the monoblock rotary engine with inserted pistons;

[0156] Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a section through the engine block of the monoblock rotary engine with inserted rotor;

[0157] Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a section through the engine block of the monoblock rotary engine with inserted rotor, showing parts of the side wall of the engine block with supply and discharge lines as well as ignition;

[0158] Fig. 5: a schematic perspective view of the engine block of the monoblock rotary engine with inserted rotor and parts of the side wall of the engine block with supply and discharge lines as well as ignition in a partially exploded view;

[0159] Fig. 6: a schematic representation of a section through a rotor of the monoblock rotary engine with four pistons, wherein the axis of one piston is tilted; Fig. 7: a schematic representation of a section through a rotor of the monoblock rotary engine with six pistons, wherein the axis of one piston is tilted;

[0160] Fig. 8: a schematic representation of a section through a pre-chamber ignition device

[0161] Fig. 9: a schematic representation of an embodiment as a Stirling engine;

[0162] Fig . 10 : a schematic representation of the process for producing isostatic graphite .

[0163] Fig. 1 shows a disk-shaped rotor 1 with a circular circumference. The rotor has a circumferential surface 2 and side surfaces 3. Circular openings 4 of piston bores 5 are formed in the circumferential surface 2. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, four piston bores are provided, two of which are visible in Fig. 1.

[0164] Four openings 6 are provided in the side surfaces 3, which lead to a channel connected to the piston bores 5. A rotor axis 7 is provided centrally in the side surface 3, around which the rotor 1 can rotate.

[0165] Fig. 2 shows the rotor from Fig. 1, but with pistons 8 inserted into the piston bores 5. The pistons 8 have a circular cross-section and are fitted precisely into the piston bores 8. The pistons 5 slide with the sliding surfaces 9 along the wall of the piston bore 5. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the pistons 8 can project beyond the circumferential surface 2 of the rotor 1. Support surfaces 10 are arranged on the end face of the pistons 9.

[0166] Rotor 1 and piston 8 are constructed of isostatic graphite. This eliminates the need for lubrication of the pistons 8 in the piston bores 5, and the gap between the circumferential surface of the piston 8 and the piston bores 5 can be kept very small.

[0167] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the engine block 11. In the engine block 11 there is a receiving space 12 which is delimited by an elliptical circumferential surface 13.

[0168] A rotor 1 is arranged centrally in the receiving space 12. Rotor 1 has a circular cross-section and is delimited by a circumferential surface 2. Rotor 1 rotates in the receiving space 12 about its rotor axis 7. Four piston bores 5 are provided in the rotor 1, the longitudinal axes of which each enclose an angle of 180° in pairs. Channels lead from the piston bores 5 to the side surfaces of the rotor 1 and open into openings 6 there. Freely movable pistons 8 are inserted into the piston bores 5 and can execute a translational movement in the piston bores 5. The freely movable pistons 8 each rest with their support surfaces 14 on the outer side facing away from the rotor axis 7 against the circumferential surface 13 of the receiving space 12. At the end of the piston 8 opposite the support surface, a combustion surface 15 is arranged which, together with the piston bore 5, forms a combustion chamber 16.

[0169] The four pistons 8a, 8b, 8c, and 8d are each in different power strokes. For the remainder of this description, it is assumed that rotor 1 rotates clockwise.

[0170] Piston 8a is at the beginning of the first power stroke. The piston 8a rests with its support surface 10 against the circumferential surface 13 of the receiving chamber 12 provided in the engine block 11. The combustion surface 15 is at the smallest distance from the rotor axis 7, and the volume of the combustion chamber 16 is at a minimum. The opening 6 is arranged such that it communicates with the channel provided in the engine block 11 for supplying the combustion gas (not shown).

[0171] If the rotor 1 rotates clockwise, i.e. to the right in the illustration in Fig. 3, the piston 8 is moved outwards in the piston bore 5 by the centrifugal force, i.e. away from the rotor axis 7, and its support surface 10 rests against the rotating surface 13 and slides along it. As the distance between the rotor axis 7 and the rotating surface 13 increases, the piston 8 performs a translational movement which is directed away from the rotor axis 7. This also increases the volume of the combustion chamber 16 and combustion gas is sucked into the combustion chamber 16 through the opening 6 and the adjoining channel (not shown).

[0172] Piston 8b shows the position in which piston 8b with its combustion surface 15 has reached the maximum distance from the rotor axis 7 or the combustion chamber 16 has its maximum volume.

[0173] The opening 6 of the channel running inside the rotor 1 to the combustion chamber 16 has passed the opening provided in the receiving chamber (not shown) for supplying fuel gas (not shown), and the opening 6 lies against the side wall of the receiving chamber (not shown) and is closed. If the rotor continues to move clockwise, the opening 6 slides further along the side wall of the receiving chamber and remains closed. The piston 8 continues to slide with its support surface 10 along the circumferential surface 13 of the receiving chamber in the engine block. As a result, the piston 8 moves in the direction of the rotor axis 7, and the volume of the combustion chamber 16 decreases, i.e. the fuel gas contained in the combustion chamber 16 is compressed. Due to the increasing pressure in the combustion chamber 16, the support surface 10 is pressed more firmly against the circumferential surface 13 until the piston finally reaches the position of the piston 8c.

[0174] In the position of the piston 8c, the piston, and thus also the combustion surface 15, have again reached the smallest distance from the rotor axis 7. The volume of the combustion chamber 16 reaches a minimum, and the combustion gas contained in the combustion chamber 16 is at its highest compression. The opening 6 of the channel leading to the combustion chamber 16 slides along the side surface of the receiving space arranged in the engine block 11, so that the combustion chamber 16 remains closed.

[0175] As the rotation continues in a clockwise direction, opening 6 aligns with the ignition (not shown) arranged in the engine block 11, and the compressed mixture contained in the combustion chamber 16 is ignited and caused to explode. As a result, the pressure in the combustion chamber 16 increases sharply, and the piston 8 is pressed with its support surface 10 against the rotating surface 13. Due to the component of the force running tangentially to the rotating surface, the rotor is accelerated in a clockwise direction and moves into a position represented by the piston 8d.

[0176] In the position represented by piston 8d, the combustion surface 15 again reaches its greatest distance from the rotor axis 7, and the combustion chamber 16 reaches its maximum volume. The opening 6 of the channel (not shown) running inside the piston 8 to the combustion chamber 16 is closed.

[0177] If the rotor 1 continues to rotate clockwise, the opening 6 coincides with the opening (not shown) of the exhaust duct arranged in the side surface of the receiving space 12 and a connection is established between the combustion chamber 16 and the environment.

[0178] The piston 8 rests with its support surface 10 on the circumferential surface 13 of the receiving chamber 12. As the distance between the circumferential surface 13 and the rotor axis 7 decreases, the piston 8 is moved in the direction of the rotor axis 7 and the exhaust gas produced during the combustion of the fuel gas is expelled until the rotor finally reaches a position which corresponds to the initial position and in which the piston assumes the position indicated by 8a. The opening 6 has moved past the opening provided in the side wall of the receiving chamber 12 for the exhaust gas discharge and is closed again by the side wall of the receiving chamber 12.

[0179] Fig. 4 shows a section of the side wall of the receiving space 12, which is formed by a side plate 17. Two arcuate elongated holes 18, 19 are provided in the side plate 17, with elongated hole 18 opening into a fuel gas supply 20 arranged in the engine block, and elongated hole 19 opening into an exhaust gas discharge 21 arranged in the engine block. Furthermore, an opening 22 for an ignition is provided.

[0180] The elongated holes 18, 19 are arranged in such a way that they coincide with the openings 6 (not shown) of the rotor 1 during one revolution of the rotor 1 and a connection is established between the fuel gas supply 20, the ignition opening 22 or the exhaust gas discharge 21 and the combustion chamber 16.

[0181] Elongated hole 18 is arranged such that it spans the segment of the side surface between positions 8a and 8b of piston 8. Elongated hole 19 is arranged such that it spans the segment between positions 8d and 8a and ignition opening 22 is arranged such that in position 8c of piston 8 it coincides with opening 6 of the rotor. In this way, fuel gas is sucked in and exhaust gas is expelled over the entire piston stroke. The ignition of the fuel gas occurs at the point in the piston movement when the fuel gas has the highest compression.

[0182] Fig . 5 shows a perspective view of the monoblock rotary engine , with the parts of the engine shown in a partially exploded view .

[0183] A rotor 1 is inserted into a receiving space 12 of the engine block 11. For better visibility, the rotor 1 is slightly raised and therefore projects beyond the surface of the engine block 11 which is flush with the end of the receiving space. Four openings 6 are arranged around the rotor axis 7 and communicate with the piston bores arranged in the rotor. Channels for the fuel gas supply 20, the exhaust gas discharge 21 and an ignition chamber 22 are arranged around the rotor axis 7 or the rotor axis holder (not shown) in the engine block 1 (not shown). Channels are used to feed the fuel gas into the combustion chamber, discharge the exhaust gas from the combustion chamber and ignite the compressed fuel gas, as described above.

[0184] Figures 6 and 7 each show a section through rotors 1 as used in the monoblock rotary engine according to the invention.

[0185] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a rotor 1 is shown in which four piston bores 5 are provided. The piston bores 5 are arranged rotationally symmetrically to the rotor axis 7. In three of the piston bores 5a to 5c, the piston longitudinal axis 37 coincides with the normal 36 of the rotating surface. If pistons (not shown) are inserted in the piston bores 5, they move in a star shape away from or towards the rotor axis 7 during the translational movement.

[0186] The piston bore 5d is arranged, for example, in such a way that the piston longitudinal axis 37 is tilted relative to the normal 36 of the rotating surface and forms an angle with it.

[0187] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7, a rotor 1 is shown in which six piston bores 5a to 5f are provided. The piston bores 5 are arranged rotationally symmetrically to the rotor axis 7. In five of the piston bores 5a to 5e, the piston longitudinal axis 37 coincides with the normal 36 of the rotating surface. If pistons (not shown) are inserted in the piston bores 5, these move in a star shape away from the rotor axis 7 or towards it during the translational movement.

[0188] The piston bore 5f is arranged, for example, in such a way that the piston longitudinal axis 37 is tilted relative to the normal 36 of the rotating surface and forms an angle with it.

[0189] Fig. 8 shows a schematic section through a pre-chamber ignition as can be used in the monoblock rotor rotary engine according to the invention. For this purpose, a pre-chamber 38 is provided which can be connected to the combustion chamber (not shown) via a channel. The pre-chamber 38 opens into an opening via which the pre-chamber can be connected to the combustion chamber formed in the rotor. The nozzle of an injection device 39 opens into the pre-chamber 38 and a small amount of fuel, for example hydrogen gas, can be injected into the pre-chamber 38. The amount of injected fuel can be controlled, for example, via a piezo element. Next to the nozzle of the injection device is the spark gap of a spark plug 40, with which the combustible mixture injected into the pre-chamber can be ignited. This creates a flame front which moves into the combustion chamber.

[0190] Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the monoblock rotary engine as a Stirling engine with heater with large heating fins, regenerator as a dark central part and cooler with small cooling fins.

[0191] Fig. 10 shows the manufacturing process for isostatic graphite, from which the rotor, piston bores, pistons and engine block are preferably constructed.

[0192] The manufacturing processes for synthetic graphite are comparable to those for ceramic materials. The solid raw materials, coke 24 and graphite 25, are ground in a grinder 26 and mixed in mixing units 27 with carbonaceous binders 28, such as pitch, to form a homogeneous mass. This is followed by shaping. Various processes 29 are available for this: isostatic pressing, extrusion, vibration compaction, or die pressing.

[0193] The pressed "green" molded bodies are then carbonized at 800 to 1200 °C in a kiln 30 under oxygen exclusion at approximately 1000 °C and repeatedly impregnated with pitch in an impregnation device 31. During this process, binder bridges are formed between the solid particles. Graphitization - the second thermal processing step - takes place in a graphitization furnace 32. In this process, the amorphous carbon is converted into three-dimensionally ordered graphite at approximately 3,000 °C.

[0194] The graphitized molded bodies are then mechanically processed 33 to produce complex components. Optionally, these can be further refined through further cleaning processes 34 and coating steps 35, such as a silicon carbide (Si) coating.

[0195] Reference symbol

[0196] Rotor 30 furnace

[0197] Circumferential surface 31 impregnation device

[0198] Side surface 32 graphitizing furnace

[0199] Opening 33 Mechanical

[0200] Piston bore machining

[0201] Openings 34 Cleaning

[0202] Rotor axis 35 SiC coating

[0203] Piston 36 Normal of

[0204] Sliding surfaces Circumferential surface

[0205] Support surface 37 piston longitudinal axis

[0206] Engine block 38 prechamber

[0207] Receiving chamber 39 Injection device Circumferential surface 40 Spark plug

[0208] Support surface

[0209] Burning surface

[0210] combustion chamber

[0211] side plate

[0212] slot

[0213] Fuel gas supply

[0214] slot

[0215] Exhaust gas discharge

[0216] Fuel gas flow

[0217] Exhaust gas discharge

[0218] Ignition opening

[0219] ignition chamber

[0220] coke

[0221] graphite

[0222] grinder

[0223] Mixing unit

[0224] Bad luck

[0225] Press

Claims

A block rotary engine comprising: an engine block (11) with a receiving space (12) for a rotor (1), wherein the receiving space (12) has two side surfaces arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another and a circumferential surface (13) connecting the two side surfaces, wherein the circumferential surface (13) has an elliptical curvature in a direction parallel to the side surfaces, with a long ellipse axis and a short ellipse axis running perpendicular thereto, which crosses the long ellipse axis at an intersection point, and furthermore, axis receptacles arranged centrally at the intersection point of the ellipse axes are provided in the side surfaces, and at least openings of a channel (20) for supplying a fuel gas, a channel (21) for discharging exhaust gases and an ignition (22) are provided in the side surfaces, a rotationally symmetrical rotor (1) received in the receiving space, wherein the rotor has side surfaces (3),which bear against the side surfaces of the receiving space (12), as well as a rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface (2) connecting the side surfaces (3) of the rotor (1), as well as a rotor axis (7) arranged centrally in the side surfaces (3) and received in the axis receptacles of the engine block (11), wherein in the rotor (1) at least one pair of piston bores (5) arranged radially opposite to the rotor axis (7) are provided, which have an opening (4) on the side of the rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface (2) and are connected to a channel at the end region opposite the opening, which leads to one of the side surfaces (3) of the rotor (1) and opens into a connecting opening (6) provided in the side surface (3), wherein the connecting opening (6) is arranged such that, upon rotation of the rotor (1), it coincides with the openings provided in the receiving space of the channel (20) for the supply of the fuel gas, the channel (21) for the discharge of the exhaust gases, and the ignition (22), and furthermore, a freely movable piston (8) is provided in the piston bore (5), which bears against the piston bore (5) with a sliding surface (9) and is designed to perform a translational movement in the piston bore (5), wherein the piston (8) further comprises a combustion chamber surface (15) facing a first combustion chamber (16) and a support surface (10) arranged at the end of the piston (8) opposite the combustion chamber surface (15),wherein the piston (8) protrudes with a portion from the rotationally symmetrical circumferential surface (2) in an outward position and is supported with the support surface (10) on the elliptical circumferential surface (13) of the receiving space (12). A monoblock rotary engine according to claim 1, wherein the rotor (1) has two pairs of piston bores (5), and the piston bores (5) are arranged crosswise around the axis (7) of the rotor (1). A monoblock rotary engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the openings of the channel (20) for supplying the fuel gas and / or the channel (21) for discharging the exhaust gas, provided in the side surfaces of the receiving space of the engine block (11), are designed as arcuate elongated holes (18, 19). Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting opening of the rotor (1) is designed as an arcuate elongated hole. Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a receptacle for a rotary body is provided on the side of the support surface (10) of the piston (8), in which receptacle a rotary body is received and the piston (8) is supported via the rotary body on the circumferential surface (13) of the receiving space (12) in the engine block (11). Monoblock rotary engine according to claim 5, wherein the rotary body is a roller or a ball. Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ignition is designed as a plasma ignition.Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the engine block (11) and the rotor (1) are constructed at least in sections from a diamond-like carbon material, wherein at least the surfaces of the receiving space, the rotor (1) and the pistons (8) which bear against another surface are formed from the diamond-like carbon material. Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the monoblock rotor (1) and the pistons (8) are designed without lubrication. Monoblock rotary engine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the piston (8) tapers on the side of the support surface (10) to an extension section which is guided in a gas-tight manner through the circumferential surface (2) of the rotor (1) and which is located with its end on the. elliptical circumferential surface (13) of the receiving space (12) of the engine block (11). Monoblock rotary engine according to claim 9, wherein a second combustion chamber is formed in the piston bore on the side of the extension portion, and the second combustion chamber is connected to a transfer channel.Drive unit comprising two coupled monoblock rotary engines, wherein a first monoblock rotary engine is designed as a high-pressure rotary engine and a second monoblock rotary engine is designed as a low-pressure rotary engine, wherein the high-pressure rotary engine is designed as a monoblock rotary engine according to one of claims 1 to 11, and the low-pressure rotary engine is designed as a pure expansion engine, wherein the first and second monoblock rotary engines are connected via a common drive shaft and furthermore the exhaust gas discharge of the first monoblock rotary engine is connected to a gas supply of the second monoblock rotary engine, so that the exhaust gas of the first monoblock rotary engine is introduced into combustion chambers of the second monoblock rotary engine, which combustion chambers are designed as pure expansion chambers. Drive unit according to claim 12, wherein at least the first monoblock rotary engine is thermally encapsulated.A method for providing a rotary motion, wherein a monoblock rotary engine according to one of claims 1 to 13 is provided, a fuel gas is introduced into the combustion chamber of the monoblock rotary engine and caused to explode. The method according to claim 14, wherein the fuel gas contains hydrogen gas.

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