Timing mechanism for rotary engines
US5429085A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/12
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A rotary internal combustion engine including a housing and two vanes mounted on concentric shafts for independent rotation in one direction within the housing in response to combustion within the housing. The engine further includes a ratchet assembly, including a ratchet housing associated with the concentric shafts to prevent rotation of the vanes within the housing in the opposite direction, and a converter assembly operative to convert the movement of the vanes into unidirectional rotation of an output shaft. In order to ensure steady state operation and provide control over the combustion ratio of the engine, a timing mechanism is provided to sense the relative position of the vanes at any given point in the engine cycle and rotate the vanes relative to the housing independently of the combustion induced rotation of the vanes within the housing. The independent relative rotation of the vanes is accomplished by rotating the housing of the ratchet assembly in accordance with the sensed relative position of the vanes within the housing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.