Reciprocating Engine Power Delivery with Constant Torque Moment Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reciprocating engines are inefficient in delivering torque and power due to the varying length of the torque moment arm as the crankshaft rotates, limiting the engine's ability to convert explosive energy into mechanical rotational motion effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a power delivery device with a substantially constant maximum length torque moment arm that maintains a consistent length throughout the power stroke, separate from the conventional crankshaft mechanism, to extract more rotational kinetic power and improve thermal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional crankshaft mechanism is used to convert reciprocating motion to rotational motion, then the engine can deliver torque and power, but the varying length of the torque moment arm reduces efficiency and limits energy conversion effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional crankshaft mechanism into separate functional components: a pull rod device for reciprocating motion, a linear gear rack coupled to the pull rod, and a rotatable pinion gear coupled to the output shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the linear gear rack and pinion gear providing a constant moment arm for efficient torque delivery throughout the power stroke.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a rotating crankshaft to convert reciprocating motion, the patent inverts the approach by using a reciprocating linear gear rack to drive a rotatable pinion gear. This inversion maintains a constant perpendicular distance (moment arm) between the force application point and the rotation axis, eliminating the varying moment arm problem of conventional crankshafts.
2Device complexity
If a conventional crankshaft mechanism is used, then the engine can operate, but the mechanism increases device complexity and parasitic power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the torque delivery function from the conventional crankshaft mechanism, separating it into independent components: the pull rod device handles reciprocating motion conversion, while the linear gear rack and pinion gear handle torque delivery with constant moment arm. This extraction eliminates the parasitic losses associated with crankshaft rotation while maintaining the essential power delivery function.
3Loss of energy
If the engine size is reduced to improve efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but torque delivery capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the moment arm from variable (in conventional crankshafts) to constant (in the linear gear rack-pinion gear system). This parameter change allows for more efficient torque delivery with smaller engine components, as the constant maximum length moment arm maintains optimal leverage throughout the entire power stroke, enabling reduced engine size without sacrificing torque capability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a drive mechanism for generating a rotational motion output from reciprocating piston assembly, where the drive mechanism includes an axially translating y-axis component to reciprocate along a y-axis with the piston assembly; an x-axis component: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis, ii) having an internal ring gear, and iii) having an orbital engagement component substantially concentric with the internal ring gear; an output shaft assembly having an output pinion gear engaging tangentially with the internal ring gear; and a stationary engagement component substantially concentric with the output shaft assembly, the stationary engagement component interfacing with the orbital engagement component, the interfacing between the stationary engagement component and the orbital engagement component applying a force to the x-axis component to maintain contact between the internal ring gear and the output pinion gear.