Round Engine Piston Positioning Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing round internal combustion engines face mechanical complications due to indirect connections between pistons, which lead to high stresses and inefficiencies in transferring torque, and share a flywheel that affects the angular velocity of both pistons, failing to provide a constant angular velocity for the output shaft.
Innovation Solution
A round internal combustion engine design featuring a direct connection between pistons through a positioning mechanism with rotatable wheels and connecting-rods, which absorbs stresses and allows for one shaft to maintain constant angular velocity while the other can change velocity, using a springy element to soften momentary forces and prevent gear knocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If indirect connections between pistons are used, then the mechanical structure is simpler, but high stresses and inefficiencies occur in torque transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning mechanism with rotatable wheels and connecting-rods as intermediary elements between the pistons. This mediator absorbs stresses during torque transfer and enables direct connection while maintaining structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable torque transfer.
2Device complexity
If a shared flywheel is used for both pistons, then the device structure is simplified, but the angular velocity of the output shaft cannot remain constant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flywheel function by introducing a positioning mechanism with rotatable wheels that can independently adjust the angular positioning and velocity of shaft members. This segmentation allows one shaft to maintain constant angular velocity while the other can change velocity, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and constant speed requirement.
3Reliability
If direct connection between pistons is implemented, then torque transfer efficiency improves, but mechanical stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs springy elements in the positioning mechanism to provide beforehand cushioning for the mechanical stresses generated during direct piston connection. The springy elements soften momentary forces and prevent gear knocking, allowing direct connection for efficient torque transfer while mitigating the increased mechanical stress.
4Reliability
If springy elements are added to soften forces, then gear knocking is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the positioning mechanism by incorporating springy elements that alter the force characteristics. This parameter change allows the mechanism to absorb and soften momentary forces, preventing gear knocking while integrating seamlessly into the existing positioning mechanism structure.
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 design reduces mechanical stress and enhances torque transfer efficiency by providing a direct connection between pistons, maintaining constant angular velocity for the output shaft while allowing differentiation in angular velocity between pistons, thus improving engine performance and reducing mechanical complications.
Implementation Method 1
a springy element, for connecting at least one of the shaft members (24A, 24B) to the piston (26A1, 26A2, 26B1, 26B2) thereof, thereby softening momentary forces of the shaft members (24A, 24B) one upon the other
Implementation Method 2
stresses between the first (24A) and second (24B) shaft members, applied by the changing of the angular positioning and of the angular velocity between the first (24A) and second (24B) shaft members, are absorbed by the at least one rotatable connecting-rod (56i, 56ii, 56iii) rather than by gear meshing
Data Source
AI summary
A round internal combustion engine (10) comprising: a stationary toroidal combustion chamber (44); a first (24A) and a second (24B) shaft member, each for connecting thereof to at least one piston (26A1, 26A2, 26B1, 26B2) disposed within the stationary toroidal combustion chamber (44); and a positioning mechanism (60), for changing angular positioning and velocity between the first (24A) and second (24B) shaft members, for increasing and decreasing a distance between the pistons (26A1, 26A2, 26B1, 26B2) of the shaft members (24A, 24B), the positioning mechanism (60) comprising: at least one rotatable wheel (28i, 28ii, 28iii) disposed eccentrically (58) within the first shaft member (24A); and at least one rotatable connecting-rod (56i, 56ii, 56iii) disposed between the first (24A) and second (24B) shaft members, for directly connecting an eccentric anchor (36A) of the at least one rotatable wheel (28i, 28ii) to an eccentric anchor (36B) of the second shaft member (24B).