High Leverage Rotary Engine Inverted Connecting Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engines face challenges in efficiently exhausting combustion products and withstanding lateral stresses due to the reliance on positive pressure and the design of lever arms in rotary engines.

Innovation Solution

A high leverage rotary internal combustion engine design featuring a rotor with flanges on a connecting member that compresses combustible fluid in compression lobes, allowing for efficient energy transfer and torque generation without the need for exhaust valves, and utilizing a universal joint to transmit power to a shaft, enhancing power output and mechanical efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If lever arms are used to transmit force from vanes to center in rotary engine, then mechanical energy is efficiently transferred without reciprocation losses, but the lever arms are ill-adapted to withstand lateral stress from combustion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical energy lossVSAvoidlateral stress resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lever arm configuration by placing the pivot point at the end rather than the center. The connecting member extends radially outward from the center of rotation, with the vane attached at the outer end and the pivot point located at the opposite end. This inversion allows the combustion forces to act along the longitudinal axis of the connecting member rather than creating lateral bending stresses, while still efficiently transmitting mechanical energy to rotate the shaft through the flexible joint at the pivot point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If positive pressure from combustion is used to exhaust combustion products, then the engine structure is simplified, but the exhaust process is inefficient with unswept space remaining

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust system complexityVSAvoidexhaust efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous sweeping action by the rotating vane that extends into the exhaust space. As the vane rotates through its cycle, it continuously sweeps combustion products from the combustion chamber through the exhaust port, eliminating the need for separate exhaust valves or complex exhaust systems. The vane's rotational motion provides continuous exhaust action throughout the engine cycle, maintaining open exhaust pathways and preventing pressure buildup that would occur with unswept spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Volume of moving object

If compact engine design is achieved through rotary configuration, then space efficiency is improved, but mechanical stress on components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine volumeVSAvoidmechanical stress on components

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted connecting member configuration with pivot at the end rather than center allows the structure to better withstand combustion forces. The connecting member acts as a rigid lever transmitting force axially from the vane to the pivot point, minimizing bending stresses. This geometric arrangement reduces mechanical stress on components while maintaining the compact rotary configuration, as the force transmission path aligns with the member's strongest structural axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The engine achieves twice the power per unit displacement compared to typical four-cycle engines, develops high torque, and is compact, with improved mechanical efficiency and reduced mechanical stress on components.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor comprises two flanges disposed on a connecting member... compresses combustible fluid in compression lobes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

subsequently detonated... propelled by forces created by detonation of the combustible fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDetonation: Detonation

Implementation Method 3

The connecting member alternately rotates about one or the other of its straight sides as it circulates, the connecting member acting as a lever arm in transmitting mechanical energy to a power shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS8418672B2High leverage rotary internal combustion engine

Publication Date: 2013.04.16 GROVES JAMES L

AI summary

An internal combustion engine having a generally rotary design is described. The engine includes a rotor that alternately rotates about first, second, and third axes of rotation as the rotor circulates within the engine. Each axis of rotation is about perpendicular to the other two axes of rotation. The rotor includes two flanges that alternately compress fluid in combustion chambers as the flanges rotatably enter and sweep through compression lobes. Detonation of compressed, combustible fluid occurs in the combustion chambers, force from the detonation driving the rotor about the axes of rotation. The rotor exerts maximum leverage on a power shaft at the point of detonation, and continues to exert similar leverage on the power shaft as the rotor rotates. The engine typically includes one or more power modules, each of the one or more power modules having three compression lobes and three combustion chambers.