Free-piston engine

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of engine engineering, and more specifically refers to a structural arrangement for an internal combustion engine and / or radial air compressor that does not have a crankshaft and connecting rods, but has one or more enclosed pistons. The engine can use any fuel, liquid or gaseous, including hydrogen (with the aim of using hydrogen to eliminate exhaust gases), and can achieve high thermodynamic efficiency with any fuel. The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine and / or air compressor having an arrangement in which linear motion can be transferred to circular motion by a ring with an eccentric and a connecting structure. The structure connects the piston to the ring, and can be polygonal if at least three pistons are used, or welded if one or two pistons are used.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of engine engineering and more specifically refers to a structural arrangement for an internal combustion engine and / or radial air compressor, without a crankshaft and connecting rods, but with one or more enclosed pistons, in the case of an engine, which can use any fuel, liquid or gaseous, including hydrogen (aiming to use hydrogen to produce zero emissions), and which can obtain high thermodynamic efficiency with any fuel. [Background technology]

[0002] A free-piston engine, also known as an opposed-piston engine, is a type of internal combustion engine with a special piston configuration. Unlike conventional piston engines, where the pistons are connected to a crankshaft, the pistons in a free-piston engine move independently, without any direct mechanical connection to the crankshaft.

[0003] These engines typically have two counter-moving pistons in a common cylinder, each with its own combustion chamber and intake and exhaust valves. Combustion alternates between the chambers, propelling the piston forward and backward.

[0004] The main advantage of a free-piston engine is that it does not require a crankshaft, which reduces mechanical losses and improves efficiency. Furthermore, it is simpler and more compact in design than a conventional piston engine. It also provides a more uniform and smoother combustion, resulting in less vibration and noise.

[0005] Another advantage is that these engines can use many different types of fuel, including gasoline, diesel, natural gas and even hydrogen, making them versatile in terms of fuel options.

[0006] However, free-piston engines also present significant challenges. One of the main challenges is ensuring proper synchronization of the pistons to avoid collisions and interference during movement. Furthermore, combustion rate control and thermal management are important aspects to ensure the efficient performance and durability of these engines.

[0007] However, current free-piston engines cannot directly transfer linear motion to a shaft, primarily because they have no means of coupling. Conventional engines transfer force or work only through compressed air or another gas.

[0008] Although free-piston engines offer interesting advantages, they are still in the development stage and are not widely used in the automotive industry, but several companies and researchers continue to explore their potential in the search for more efficient and sustainable solutions for automotive propulsion. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine and / or air compressor having an arrangement that allows the transfer of linear motion to circular motion by means of a ring with an eccentric and a connecting structure that connects the pistons to the ring, which can be polygonal when using at least three pistons, or welded when using one or two pistons.

[0010] The illustrated arrangement achieves, in various configurations, a higher thermodynamic efficiency with respect to current engines and also has a more efficient thermodynamic cycle, and therefore a higher thermodynamic efficiency in absolutely all other aspects (environmental, mechanical, thermodynamic, economic, consumption, etc.).

[0011] In particular, the present invention relates to internal combustion engines and / or air compressors that have improved overall efficiency, improved thermodynamic efficiency, reduced dimensions, longer service life, improved power / weight ratio, reduced gas emissions into the environment (even doubled), and, using hydrogen, produce no emissions without losing their previous characteristics, compared to any other engine. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the engine, highlighting the components, using an example six-piston arrangement. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the engine, highlighting the components for an example six-piston arrangement. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the engine component. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an engine, with two engines arranged around each engine with two pistons. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the engine, highlighting the components of a one-piston or two-piston engine. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a graph of the PV (pressure vs. volume) thermodynamic chart of the engine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention will now be described in a clear, concise and sufficient manner with reference to the accompanying drawings listed below so that anyone skilled in the art can fully understand and practice the invention.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a combustion engine and / or compressor is formed by an arrangement of three or more pistons (4) slidingly coupled to a polygonal ring (3) and restricted by tabs (8) on clamps (6) attached to the ring (3). At the center of the ring (3) is an eccentric (2) that converts the linear motion of the pistons (4) into circular motion on a shaft (1), which is welded or fixed to the eccentric (2). This shaft (1) runs across both sides through which the engine's power and / or work is output, which is then connected at one or both ends to one or more external devices, and is closed by two covers (not shown) that act as supports in front and behind a block (5) for the shafts, which is the engine's main support structure.

[0015] Alternatively, the polygonal ring (3) with sides corresponding to the number of pistons (4) may be cylindrical with proportional spaces for arranging the components.

[0016] The motor shaft (1) rotates with the eccentric (2). However, during the movement of the shaft (1) and eccentric (2), the polygonal ring (3) assembly supporting the piston (4) maintains translational motion without rotation, its inner cylinder fixed to the eccentric and its outer cylinder slidably fixed to the piston. A clamp (6) is fixed to the ring (3) and presses the piston (4) tightly against the ring to prevent it from remaining loose, thus allowing the piston (4) to slide.

[0017] In the present invention, the combustion cylinder head is externally mounted in front of the piston (4) fixed to the block (5) to form the combustion chamber and must include a synchronization valve.

[0018] Alternatively, in an arrangement including only one or two pistons, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the structure consists of a piston (4) integral with a block (5A) welded to a connecting structure (7) which receives therein a four-sided polygonal ring (3) (the piston uses only two opposite sides to slide) which is positioned perpendicular to a shaft (1) joined to an eccentric (2) inserted in the ring (3).

[0019] The pistons (4) are slid onto a ring (3) having four faces, of which only two are used, and the two pistons are slid together into a block (5A), and the pistons are joined together with a joining structure (7) instead of a clamp (6), in which case the structure (7) is fixed, welded or integrated into the two pistons as a single unit.

[0020] The piston (4) transmits its linear motion in a sliding manner to a ring (3) that not only rotates but also moves, and this ring pushes an eccentric that rotates inside the ring, converting this linear motion of the piston (4) into a circular motion of the shaft.

[0021] Figure 6 shows a typical theoretical thermodynamic pressure-volume chart for a four-stroke engine. Engineers recognize that this particular thermodynamic cycle is highly efficient because the values on the chart represent the appearance of each letter and are how yields are theoretically calculated; this chart is representative and illustrative only.

[0022] The structural arrangement shown herein provides an engine technology that simulates the first part of the cycle shown on the thermodynamic chart, from point 1 to point 4, in one or more stages (number of times), with intercooling of the air (see the volume reduction and constant pressure between points 2 and 3). If there are more than one stage, explosion occurs at point 4, the pressure rises to point 5, and the chamber is completely closed to its minimum volume. This pressure rises to a very high value, and at this high pressure, the gas expands to point 6 (which is twice the expansion of the current engine), maximizing the amount of energy transferred to the shaft (1) via the eccentric (2). From point 6 to point 8, the cylinder is completely emptied of gas, after which it is refilled with fresh air and fuel up to point 6 and returned to the intakes. A portion of this mixture returns to point 7, where the valve closes (this is approximately 50% of the volume), and the cycle begins again from point 1. While the previous description was for a four-stroke engine, the same yield can be achieved with a two-stroke engine. In this case, the emptying and filling of the cylinder with fresh pre-compressed air and fuel occurs in one go between points 6 and 7 on the thermodynamic chart, thus avoiding an extra revolution of the shaft each cycle.

[0023] Thermodynamic cycles are very efficient because the initial compression can be done in one or more stages, with intercooling if more than one stage, so the work required to do the compression is greatly reduced and higher efficiencies can be achieved to make the most of the gas energy. However, this engine can make the most of the energy produced from the fuel and minimize waste.

[0024] These engine and / or compressor designs can vary not only the amount of pistons, but also run one or more different sets on the same shaft, using any of the possible combinations.

[0025] Last but not least, this engine will contribute to the health of the planet and is definitely an eco-friendly invention, as it will reduce global warming by a very large percentage due to the reduction in CO2 levels in the atmosphere and zero hydrogen emissions.Furthermore, it can be used in motorcycles, cars, boats, planes, machinery, power plants, etc.

[0026] It is important to point out that the figures and descriptions are not intended to limit the manner in which the presently proposed inventive concept may be implemented, but rather to illustrate and facilitate understanding of the conceptual innovations revealed in the present solution. Therefore, the description and drawings should be interpreted in an exemplary and non-limiting manner, as there may be other equivalent or similar forms of implementing the presently expressed inventive concept, without departing from the scope of protection outlined in the proposed solution.

Claims

1. 1. A free-piston engine formed by an arrangement of three or more pistons (4) slidably connected to a polygonal ring (3) and restricted by tabs (8) of staples (6) attached to the ring (3), characterized in that the ring (3) has in its center an eccentric (2) that converts the linear motion of the pistons (4) into a circular motion of a shaft (1), the shaft (1) being welded or fixed to the eccentric (2), the shaft (1) being pierced from both sides for connecting one or both ends to one or more external devices, and the shaft (1) being closed by two support covers in front and behind a shaft block (5).

2. 2. A free-piston engine according to claim 1, characterized in that the polygonal ring (3) with sides corresponding to the number of pistons (4) can alternatively be cylindrical with proportional spaces for arranging components.

3. 2. A free-piston engine according to claim 1, characterized in that a combustion cylinder head is attached externally to the front of the piston (4) fixed to the block (5) to form a combustion chamber, and includes a synchronization valve.

4. 1. A free-piston engine formed by an arrangement of one or two pistons (4) integrated into a block (5A) and fixed, welded or integrated into a connecting structure (7), said connecting structure (7) receiving a four-sided polygonal ring (3) therein, said pistons (4) sliding only on two opposite sides of said ring (3) and arranged perpendicular to a shaft (1) connected to an eccentric (2) inserted in said ring (3).

Images