Patent · US Expired

Rotary engine

US4393828A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
7References
1Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 29, 1981
Grant dateJul 19, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 29, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T10/12
  • WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to a simplified design for a rotary internal combustion engine. The engine consists of rollers, acting as pistons and cranks, and specially designed vanes or seals which divide each roller housing into two working chambers. The vane is shaped in such a way that it is held down against the roller by the pressure of the gases which it is restraining. The vane on the expansion chamber also serves as the sealing valve on the outlet end of the fire tube. The engine cooling system is unique in the fact that the compressor is not cooled. The fire tube or combustion chamber is a titanium or high temperature material that is insulated from the rest of the engine. This tube is designed to stand the maximum temperatures and maximum pressures of combustion. The expander is cooled by a water injection spray which is introduced directly into the expansion chamber. Through cooling, the injected water removes energy from the gases and uses that energy to create steam for greater power. The engine lends itself to an open or closed cycle for the water injection.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.