Annular internal combustion engine

Abstract

The claimed invention relates to internal combustion engines. An annular internal combustion engine contains a plurality of pistons (5), a cylinder block (7), and a plurality of working cylinders in the cylinder block (7), where the number of cylinders corresponds to the number of pistons (5). The engine has a first seal (1), a first bearing (2), a working shaft cover (3), a working shaft (4), a second bearing (6), a third bearing (8), a first cylinder head (9), a second cylinder head (10), a camshaft (11), a nut (12), a cylinder head cover (13), a fourth bearing (14), and a second seal (15).

Description

[0001] Invention name:

[0002] ANNULAR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

[0003] The claimed technical solution relates to internal combustion engines. This development can have a wide range of applications in the automotive and aircraft industries, and can be used as an engine for generators, compressors, boat engines, or as auxiliary power units, air compressors or refrigeration equipment, for agricultural and military equipment.

[0004] A reciprocating engine is known from the state of the art according to the patent of Ukraine for utility model No. 123725, according to which a reciprocating internal combustion engine contains a crankshaft, a working cylinder in the cavity of which a piston moves, connected to the crankshaft through a connecting rod, gas distribution bodies connecting the cylinder cavity with inlet and outlet pipelines, a mixing device installed in the intake pipeline and connected to an air cleaner and an electrically driven fuel pump, a spark ignition device installed in the cylinder head, and an exhaust pipeline connected to the atmosphere through the tank of an additional combustion chamber equipped with a spark ignition device. A combustible mixture analyzer is installed in the inlet pipeline after the mixing device, and a detonation sensor is installed in the cylinder head, and the additional combustion chamber tank is connected to the compressed air tank through a pressure regulator and an electrically operated valve, and the combustible mixture analyzer, detonation sensor, and electric drives of the fuel pump and the additional combustion chamber valve are connected to the controller of the automated engine control system.

[0005] The disadvantage of the known solution is the complexity of its design, which in turn leads to a decrease in its reliability.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need to create an annular internal combustion engine that would have a simple and reliable design. The problem is solved by the fact that the annular internal combustion engine, which has a plurality of pistons, a cylinder block, a plurality of working cylinders in the cylinder block, where the number of cylinders corresponds to the number of pistons, according to the technical solution, contains a first seal, a first bearing, a working shaft cover, a working shaft, a second bearing, a third bearing, a first cylinder block head, a second cylinder block head, a camshaft, a nut, a cylinder head cover, a fourth bearing, and a second seal, wherein the first seal is connected to the first bearing and the working shaft, which is inserted into the working shaft cover, where the working shaft is made with the ability to rotate and drive a plurality of pistons, wherein the working shaft has a variable side surface height that changes from a maximum value to a minimum value in 90°, and the difference between the maximum value of the width of the side surface and the minimum value of the width of the side surface is the length of the piston stroke from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the working shaft is connected to the cylinder block, wherein the cylinder block is connected to the second and third bearings in which the working shaft is mounted with the possibility of rotation, the working shaft is connected to the first cylinder head, in which exhaust gas channels are formed, the first cylinder head is connected to the second cylinder head, and fuel mixture channels are formed between the first cylinder head and the second cylinder head, the camshaft, which is installed after the second cylinder head and connected to the working shaft by a nut, the second cylinder head is connected to the cylinder head cover, the second cylinder head is connected in series with the camshaft, nut and cylinder head cover, the fourth bearing connected to the working shaft and a second seal are inserted in the cylinder head cover.

[0007] The claimed technical solution is explained by means of the accompanying assembly drawing, which shows all elements of tire claimed engine.

[0008] The following symbols are used in the attached drawing.

[0009] 1. First seal

[0010] 2. First bearing

[0011] 3. Working shaft cover

[0012] 4. Working shaft

[0013] 5. Piston

[0014] 6. Second bearing

[0015] 7. Cylinder block

[0016] 8. Third bearing

[0017] 9. First cylinder head

[0018] 10. Second cylinder head

[0019] 11. Camshaft

[0020] 12. Nut

[0021] 13. Cylinder head cover

[0022] 14. Fourth bearing

[0023] 15. Second seal

[0024] The advantage of the annular internal combustion engine (ICE) design is that during the stroke of the ICE stroke, the piston can be left for some time at a point close to the top dead center (TDC), unlike an ICE with a crank mechanism (CM), which contributes to a more complete combustion of the fuel mixture, which in turn reduces the need for fuel consumption and contributes to the release of significantly fewer harmful substances into the atmosphere and the performance of more work (more power and more torque). Another advantage is the torque close to electric motors, since the working stroke of an annular ICE per one revolution of the four- cylinder motor's shaft will be twice as long as that of an internal combustion engine with a crank mechanism. This eliminates the use of a flywheel and reduces the overall weight of the entire ICE. That is, with the same power output, the ICE and the declared annular ICE will differ in physical characteristics (the size and weight of the annular ICE will be smaller). This gives the annular ICE an advantage in fuel efficiency, environmental friendliness, and physical size. Another advantage of an annular ICE is its almost non-existent vibration loads, which provides greater opportunities to use the latest materials for various ICE elements (composites, light alloys) and increase service life. Another advantage of an annular ICE is a wider engine speed range. This motor can operate at 200 rpm and at speeds exceeding 10,000 rpm. With a properly selected fuel mixture and injection torque, the engine will have an efficiency that will exceed the efficiency of an ICE with a crank mechanism by 25-30%. The engine will comply with environmental standards - EURO 6, while the use of many auxiliary devices or systems (EGR, DEF, etc.) is not required, which significantly reduces the cost of both the ICE and its operation. And with the use of these systems, it can become the main engine of the new Euro 7 standard.

[0025] Another advantage of the annular ICE is that it can be used in both horizontal and vertical positions. At the same time, changes in the design will be minimal, since the architecture of the ICE provides for a dry crankcase design. The ICE can be either water-cooled or air-cooled. Any fuel system can be used. The annular ICE can run on gasoline, gas, kerosene or diesel fuel.

[0026] The following example explains how the engine works.

[0027] The first stroke (injection). When the piston is at the top dead center (TDC), it starts moving downward. During the downward movement, the injection valves open and the fuel mixture enters the ICE cylinder.

[0028] The piston is at the top dead center, the working shaft starts moving clockwise, thereby retracting the piston to the lower position, at which time the working shaft rotates with the camshaft, which presses the injection valve. The valve opens and draws the fuel mixture into the cylinder.

[0029] Second stroke (compression). As soon as the piston reaches the bottom dead center, the valve closes and the piston starts moving upward to the top dead center.

[0030] When the piston reaches the bottom dead center, the working shaft begins to press on the piston and pushes the piston upward, at which time the camshaft stops pressing on the valve and it closes. The piston rises to the top dead center under the action of the working shaft.

[0031] Third stroke (working stroke). It is accompanied by the ignition of the fuel-air mixture (forced or spontaneous combustion). As a result of the fire, gases are formed that put pressure on the piston and force it to move downward to the bottom dead center. The movement of the piston through the mechanism’s working shaft is converted into a rotational movement of the working shaft, which transmits torque to the consumer. In fact, the engine performs useful work on the stroke of the working stroke.

[0032] In the combustion chamber, the fuel-air mixture ignites, the working shaft rotates and the piston starts moving downward, but for some time the downward movement is about 5 degrees. With further movement of the working shaft, the piston begins to move at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees before reaching the bottom dead center. The camshaft rotates without pressure on the valves. As the piston moves downward, work output is done.

[0033] Fourth stroke (exhaust). When the bottom dead center is reached, the exhaust valves of the gas distribution mechanism are opened and the piston begins to move upward to the top dead center. During this movement, the exhaust gases are removed from the cylinders into the exhaust system, where they are cleaned, cooled and noise reduced. The gases are then released into the atmosphere. The piston reaches the bottom dead center and starts moving upward under the action of the working shaft, the camshaft presses the exhaust valve. The piston forces the exhaust gases out of the cylinder.

[0034] By its architecture, an annular internal combustion engine can be either a four- cylinder internal combustion engine or a 5-8 cylinder engine. Engines with 5 or more cylinders have a mirrored architecture using a single common working shaft. The most powerful and advanced engine will be the one with 8 cylinders. The annular ICE can be combined into multi-motor mechanisms for use, for example, on ships as high- power generator equipment. The physical dimensions of a four-cylinder ICE with a displacement of 800 cubic centimeters are 300 mm by 300 mm (excluding the fuel system and manifolds), while the power of the annular ICE will exceed the power of a modem atmospheric ICE with a crank mechanism with 1500 cubic centimeter displacement. If aluminum is used as the block and parts of the cylinder heads in an annular ICE, and plastic as the covers, the total weight of this engine will not exceed 45 kg, while the weight of an engine, for example, VAG 1400 cubic cm (EA211) without attachments is 87 kg, which is almost twice as much.

Claims

ClaimsAn annular internal combustion engine having a plurality of pistons, a cylinder block, a plurality of working cylinders in the cylinder block, where the number of cylinders corresponds to the number of pistons, characterized in that it comprises a first seal, a first bearing, a working shaft cover, a working shaft, a second bearing, a third bearing, a first head of cylinder block, a second head of cylinder block, a camshaft, a nut, a head cover of cylinder block, a fourth bearing, and a second seal, wherein the first seal is connected to the first bearing and the working shaft, which is inserted into the working shaft cover, wherein the working shaft is able to rotate and drive the plurality of pistons, the working shaft having a variable side surface height, which varies from a maximum value to a minimum value through an angle of 90°, wherein the difference between the maximum value of the width of the side surface and the minimum value of the width of the side surface is the length of the piston stroke from the top dead center to the bottom dead center, the working shaft is connected to the cylinder block, wherein the cylinder block is connected to the second and third bearings in which the working shaft is mounted with the possibility of rotation, the working shaft is connected to the first head of cylinder block, in which exhaust gas channels are formed, the first head of cylinder block is connected to the second head of cylinder block, and fuel mixture channels are formed between the first head of cylinder block and the second head of cylinder block, the camshaft, which is installed after the second head of cylinder block and connected to the working shaft by a nut,the second head is cylinder block is connected to the cylinder head cover, the second head of cylinder block is connected in series with the camshaft, nut and head cover of cylinder block, the third bearing connected to the working shaft and a second seal are inserted in the head cover of cylinder block.

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