Oscillating Piston Machine Return Means for Low Speed Smoothness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Oscillating piston machines face issues with smooth operation due to insufficient centrifugal forces at low speeds, leading to potential discontinuity in piston movement and delayed or incomplete reaching of the bottom dead center position, affecting the machine's running properties and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of return means with a second running element connected to the piston, which runs along a separate control curve adjacent to the primary control curve, ensures continuous contact and support for the piston's movement from the top dead center to the bottom dead center position, enhancing the machine's smoothness and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the oscillating piston machine operates at low speeds, then energy consumption is reduced, but centrifugal forces become insufficient causing discontinuous piston movement and delayed reaching of bottom dead center position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating speedVSAvoidcontinuity of piston movement
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A return means is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the piston and the control cam. This return means comprises a return spring that acts on the piston to provide an additional return force, ensuring continuous contact between the piston's running element and the control cam even at low operating speeds where centrifugal forces are insufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the running element loses contact with the control curve, then the structure is simpler, but the pivoting movement becomes discontinuous affecting running properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure of piston guidanceVSAvoidsmoothness of pivoting movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The return means acts as an intermediary that ensures continuous contact between the running element and the control curve. The return spring provides a constant force that prevents separation, maintaining smooth and continuous pivoting movement without requiring complex additional guidance structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If pressure build-up from expansion cycle brakes the pivoting movement, then work cycle efficiency is maintained, but the piston cannot reach bottom dead center position in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexpansion workVSAvoidtime to reach bottom dead center
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The return spring in the return means provides a counteracting force that compensates for the braking effect of pressure build-up during the expansion cycle. This additional return force ensures that the piston can overcome the pressure resistance and reach the bottom dead center position in time, maintaining both power efficiency and timing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration ensures reliable and smooth pivoting movements by maintaining contact between the piston's running element and the control cam, improving the oscillating piston machine's performance and efficiency, particularly at low speeds.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one piston has a first running element which, when the piston revolves around the axis of rotation, runs along at least one control curve which is designed so that the pivoting movements of the at least one piston result from the rotating movement of the running element derived from the control curve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

the centrifugal force assists due to the orbital movement of the at least one piston the axis of rotation the movement of the piston from the TDC position to the BDC position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentEP1987233B1Oscillating piston machine
Publication Date: 2010.10.06 HUTTLIN HERBERT
  • EP1987233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1987233B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1987233B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an oscillating piston engine comprising a housing (12) wherein at least one piston (30) is arranged. Said piston can revolve about a rotation axis (38) which is fixed in relation to the housing (12), and which, when revolving about the rotation axis (38), performs reciprocating oscillating movements about an oscillating axis (42) running perpendicular to the rotation axis (28), between a first end position (OT) and a second end position (UT). The at least one piston (30) comprises a first running element (58) which extends along at least one control cam (66) when revolving the piston (30) about the rotation axis (38). Said control cam is configured in such a manner that the pivoting movements of the at least one piston (30) are derived from the peripheral movement of the running element (58) along said control cam. Return means for supporting the return of the at least one piston (30) at least from the first end position (OT) into the second end position are associated with the piston in addition to the running element (58).