CIRCLE ELLIPSE ENGINE

Abstract

A Circle-Ellipse Engine comprises a stationary circular outer Housing having a fixed elliptical inner cam surface, and a separate internal round Rotor partitioned into equal segments that are populated by identical movable radial Vanes. During rotation, the end of the Vanes are positioned a constant distance from the elliptical inner cam surface of the Housing. The internal round Rotor has the same radius as the minor axis of the elliptical inner cam surface. During rotation, a variable height cavity is created representing the difference between the major and minor axes of the elliptical inner cam surface and the Rotor face.

The position of the radial Vanes is guided by the slots in the symmetrical Rotor, extending to the elliptical inner cam surface of the Housing. The precise extension is governed by a pin track machined into the dual End Plates.

There are no pistons, camshaft, timing chains, valves, valve lifters, rocker arms, connecting rods, or wrist pins. As a benefit, size and weight are significantly reduced when compared to a reciprocating engine of similar horsepower. Normal aspirated air is continuously drawn into the engine when an adjacent pair of radial Vanes passes the air inlet port. Similarly, exhaust products are expelled after a combustion event when the pair of adjacent Vanes passes over the exhaust port.

The resultant geometer results in a continuous implementation of the Otto Cycle; namely intake, compression, expansion or power stroke, and exhaust during a single rotation of the internal round Rotor.

Because the Otto Cycle is executed each revolution of the Rotor, the Circle-Ellipse Engine achieves the same power as a conventional reciprocating engine of the same displacement and compression ratio, at half the RPM. This implementation greatly reduces component ware and extends the life and maintenance cycle by a factor of four. As a side benefit, the power losses and vibration common to all reciprocating engines are eliminated.

Claims

1. A Circle-Ellipse Engine (FIG. 1) comprising five unique major components. These are an identical pair of End Plates (FIG. 1, Items 100 and 100A), a plurality of Vanes (FIG. 1, Item 200), the Rotor (FIG. 1, Item 300), The Housing (FIG. 1, Item 400), and the Drive Shaft (FIG. 1, Item 500). The implementation of this simplified geometry approach supersedes all prior implementations that required complex and expensive to machine cam surfaces, and challenges to seal non-round combustion chambers. This implementation is made possible by precisely positioning the Vane in relationship to the inner cam surface of the Housing using a pin track, and deriving the pin track from a complex transcendental equation that precisely integrates the Rotor, Vane, and Housing geometries, assuring exact placement of the Vane tip for all rotation angles. This implementation addresses all five mandatory requirements of an engine, namely: (1) Lubrication is addressed by implementing a plurality of high-precision flow restrictors to deliver the exact disbursement of lubrication oil at the needed locations; (2) Cooling is addressed by high volume water and oil cooling, which are directed through openings in the Drive Shaft and Housing, assuring thermal stability; (3) Sealing is addressed by using an approach similar to the successful sealing implementation of the Wankel Engine as implemented by Mazda Automobile Corporation; specifically materials, coatings, and placement of Apex, Side, and Face Seals; (4) Mechanicals are addressed through implementation of sealed bearings, high tolerance components with ample lubrication, and the aforementioned pin track; and (5) Thermodynamics requirements are addressed through the precise geometry of the combustion chamber assuring proper compression ratio, thermodynamic cooling, thermodynamic stability of components, properly timed fuel injection, and removal of excess lubrication products through a scavenge system. The device as claimed in claim 1, further including a Housing (FIG. 1, Item 400) with an inner elliptical cam surface (FIG. 6, Item 455), provisions for external connection of lubrication oil (FIG. 6, Item 425), passageways for air/exhaust and cooling water (FIG. 6, Items 415, 430, 445, and 450), and internal channels for distribution of lubrication oil (FIG. 6, Item 420) and recovery of excess oil (FIG. 6, Item 440) that is returned to the oil sump; The device as claimed in claim 1, further including a Rotor (FIG. 1, Item 300) with a radius equal to that of the minor axis of the internal elliptical cam surface of the Housing (FIG. 6, Item 455), and is partitioned into equal and symmetrical segments (FIG. 5, Item 315) interspersed by radial movement Vanes (FIG. 1, Item 200), and forming combustion surfaces (FIG. 5, Item 305). The internal hub of the Rotor (FIG. 5, Item 335) contains a cooling and lubrication oil manifold to address Rotor and Vane friction and mechanical requirements;

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a simplified exploded, isometric view showing a the Circle-Ellipse Engine according to an embodiment of the invention; Items 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 represent the major components, and Item 100A is identical to Item 100, and presented for completeness;

[0023] FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing the inside of the End Plate member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as detail of Item 100, and depicts Items 105 through 140;

[0024] FIG. 3 is an isometric view showing the outside of the End Plate member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as further detail of Item 100, and depicts Items 145 through 175;

[0025] FIG. 4 is an isometric view showing the radial Vane member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as further detail of Item 200, and depicts Items 205 through 215;

[0026] FIG. 5 is an isometric view showing the Rotor member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as further detail of Item 300, and depicts Items 305 through 335;

[0027] FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing the Housing member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as further detail of Item 400, and depicts Items 405 through 455;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a composite isometric view showing the external and internal features of the Drive Shaft member of the Circle-Ellipse Engine of FIG. 1. This is provided as further detail of Item 500, and depicts Items 505 through 560;

[0029] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the assembled device, with one section (quadrant) highlighted to help explain the combustion chamber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A Circle-Ellipse Engine comprises a stationary circular outer Housing having a fixed elliptical inner cam surface, and a separate internal round Rotor partitioned into equal segments that are populated by identical movable radial Vanes. During rotation, the end of the Vanes are positioned a constant distance from the elliptical inner cam surface of the Housing. The internal round Rotor has the same radius as the minor axis of the elliptical inner cam surface. During rotation, a variable height cavity is created representing the difference between the major and minor axes of the elliptical inner cam surface and the Rotor face.

[0031] The position of the radial Vanes is guided by the slots in the symmetrical Rotor, extending to the elliptical inner cam surface of the Housing. The precise extension is governed by a pin track machined into the dual End Plates.

[0032] There are no pistons, camshaft, timing chains, valves, valve lifters, rocker arms, connecting rods, or wrist pins. As a benefit, size and weight are significantly reduced when compared to a reciprocating engine of similar horsepower. Normal aspirated air is continuously drawn into the engine when an adjacent pair of radial Vanes passes the air inlet port. Similarly, exhaust products are expelled after a combustion event when the pair of adjacent Vanes passes over the exhaust port.

[0033] The resultant geometer results in a continuous implementation of the Otto Cycle; namely intake, compression, expansion or power stroke, and exhaust during a single rotation of the internal round Rotor.

[0034] Because the Otto Cycle is executed each revolution of the Rotor, the Circle-Ellipse Engine achieves the same power as a conventional reciprocating engine of the same displacement and compression ratio, at half the RPM. This implementation greatly reduces component ware and extends the life and maintenance cycle by a factor of four. As a side benefit, the power losses and vibration common to all reciprocating engines are eliminated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The present invention is directed to a Circle-Ellipse Engine, hereinafter referred to as a the device, capable of various implementations such as an engine, a pump, a compressor, or an expander, each having the following general features: (a) first and second chamber paths allowing for a plurality of chambers to be formed between adjacent Vanes; (b) the Housing cam surface and Rotor form parts of the chamber, and the Vanes driven off a pin track on each End Plate; and (c) the volume of each of the chambers dynamically changes as the as the Rotor turns with respect to the Housing's cam surface. The ability to rapidly change the volume of the chambers, and eliminate leakage between the chambers and other cavities, is crucial to the successful implementation of the device.

[0036] Referring to the figures and first to FIG. 1, there is shown a device comprised of two identical End Plates, Items 100 and 100A, separated by a Housing 400. The Housing encloses the Rotor 300, and a plurality of identical Vanes, Item 200. Completing the device is the internal driveshaft 500, which is a line-to-line fit with the Rotor 300.

[0037] Please refer next to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which are respectively the inside and outside of the End Plate 100 and 100A.

[0038] Two identical water plenums, upper 105 and lower 140, provide for passage of cooling water from the external water fitting locations, respectively upper 150 and lower 170. The cooling water is then directed to appropriate water passageways in the Housing to provide thermal stability of the Housing 400.

[0039] Items 110 and 145 are the inside and outside locations for one of the 16 socket head screws to fasten the End Plates 100 and 100A to each end of the Housing 400.

[0040] Item 115 is a cavity suitable for securely mounting thrust and roller bearings respectively in each End Plate 100 and 100A. By mounting the bearings on the inside of the End Plates, secure mounting is assured.

[0041] Item 120 is a pin track. It is a calculated tool path based on complex transcendental mathematics. It serves to exactly position the Vanes such that they are maintained a constant distance from the inner cam surface of the Housing 400, Item 455, for all angular positions of the Rotor 300.

[0042] Item 125 is one of two locations for accurately positioning a hard pin. The two pins serve to precisely locate the End Plates with regards to the Housing, ensuring proper alignment during assembly.

[0043] Items 130 and 165 are the inside and outside locations for one of four identical air inlet/exhaust fittings. These convey passage of air/exhaust to/from the inside of the elliptical cam surface of the Housing 400, Item 455.

[0044] Item 140 is one of two identical mounting holes, appropriate for securing the device to a suitable base.

[0045] Items 155 and 175 are two of the identical six pre-threaded hard points for attaching accessories, such as an alternator, water pump, oil pump, and/or power steering pump as needed. These accessories are not part of the device.

[0046] Item 160 is one of two identical pre-threaded lubrication ports for attaching flow restrictors. These flow restrictors provide for a precise and minimal amount of oil to lubricate the pin track 120.

[0047] Please refer next to FIG. 4, which is the radial Vane, item 200. A plurality of Vanes is used to partition the Rotor 300 into separate chambers suitable for combustion events. In combination with the elliptical cam inner surface of the Housing 400, Item 455, and End Plates 100 and 100A, the Vanes complete two of the six sides of the combustion chamber.

[0048] Item 205 provides mounting provisions for the apex seal. Its function is identical to that of the Mazda engine, namely to seal high pressure in a combustion chamber from leaking to another chamber.

[0049] Item 210 is one of many internal lubrication ports, which guide lubrication oil from the source, Rotor 300, to each external surface of the Vane, Item 200. These pre-drilled ports provide for a precise and minimal amount of oil to lubricate the Vane interface with the End Plates, respectively 100 and 100A, the Rotor 100 Vane slots (FIG. 5, Item 315), the Apex Seal slot, FIG. 4, Item 205, and the Rotor, FIG. 1, Item 300 face seal cavity (FIG. 5, Item 310).

[0050] Item 215 is the pin that interfaces respectively with the pin tracks in End Plates 100 and 100A. The pin serves to precisely control the position of the Vane 200 based on its instantaneous position of the Rotor 300.

[0051] Please refer next to FIG. 5, which is the Rotor 300. The Rotor is the major moving component of the device. It is partitioned into a plurality of identical segments, each of which independently forms a part of the combustion chambers.

[0052] Item 305 is one of 12 identical combustion surfaces. During rotation, when this surface is closest to the inside, surface of the Housing 400, Item 455, there is maximum compression. At this point there is minimum extension of a pair of adjacent the Vanes 200.

[0053] Item 310 is one of 24 identical side seal slots. When populated with side seals, these slots ensure positive and low friction sealing of the radial Vanes in the combustion chamber. This prevents the leakage of combustion products into lubrication oil, contaminating the oil, and leakage of unwanted oil into the combustion chamber to help minimize Nitrogen-Oxygen (NOx) pollutants.

[0054] Item 315 is one of 12 identical Vane slots. When populated with Vanes 200, these slots ensure positive and low friction radial motion of the Vanes. The slots are sealed on both ends respectively by End Plates 100 and 100A.

[0055] Item 320 is one of 12 identical lubrication oil chambers. These provide appropriate amounts of lubricating oil and thermal cooling to each Vane slot and the Rotor 300 that interfaces with both End Plates 100 and 100A.

[0056] Item 325 is one of 144 identical lubrication ports that provide lubrication oil to each of the 12 identical lubrication oil chambers 320, and each of the 12 Vane slots 315. Each of the chambers and slots contain 6 entry ports, which provide even distribution of lubrication oil throughout the device.

[0057] Item 330 is the location of one of the 144 lubrication ports. In conjunction with the driveshaft 500, these ports are the exit locations of the Rotor manifold, which is fed from the hallow driveshaft 500.

[0058] Please refer next to FIG. 6, which is the Housing 400. The Housing is the major static, non-moving component of the device. It accommodates passageways for cooling water, natural aspirated air, exhaust products, and distribution lubrication/cooling oil.

[0059] Item 405 is the spark plug port. For the diesel engine implementation of this device, it is the location of the fuel injector.

[0060] Item 410 is one of 16 identical threaded holes to accommodate socket head mounting screws that secure the End Plates 100 and 100A to the Housing.

[0061] Item 415 is a cooling water passageway. It is a direct interface to the water source port, End Plate Item 150 which in turn feeds supplies the upper End Plate water distribution manifold Item 105. The extensive size of the passageway is to provide thermal stability to the Housing 400.

[0062] Item 420 is one of two identical internal lubrication oil distribution tracks that lubricate the working surface of the apex seals discussed earlier, as part of Vane 200 Item 205.

[0063] Item 425 is one of two identical external ports for the attachment of oil flow restrictors, which in turn feel lubrication oil to oil distribution tracks Item 420. The flow restrictors are selected to ensure proper oil lubrication is applied to the apex seals, and minimize the amount of unwanted oil into the combustion chamber to help minimize Nitrogen-Oxygen (NOx) pollutants.

[0064] Item 430 is one of 36 air/exhaust ports that connect air/exhaust from the End Plates 100 and 100A Items 130 and 165, through the Housing Item 445 and into the inside elliptical cam surface of the Housing 400, Item 455. The ports are arranged in four segments of 9 openings each. This is to minimize the disruption and wear on the apex seals, ensure even distribution, and define the proper distanced between an adjacent pair of Vanes 200.

[0065] Item 435 is one of two locations for accurately positioning a hard pin. The two pins serve to precisely locate the End Plates Item 125 with regards to the Housing, ensuring proper alignment during assembly.

[0066] Item 440 is the lubrication oil exit port. The lubrication oil that enters each of the Item 425 ports is swept into the internal lubrication oil scavenge track and drained into the oil sump, which is not part of the device. Scavenged oil foam is removed by baffles in the sump, before it is respectively conveyed to an oil filter and pump.

[0067] Item 445 is the mating location for each of the four identical air/exhaust ports to/from the End Plates 100 and 100A Items 130 and 165. These convey passage of air/exhaust to/from the inside of the elliptical cam surface of Item 430 of the Housing 400.

[0068] Item 450 is one of eight identical cooling water passageways. It is a direct interface to the water source port, End Plate Item 135 which in turn feeds lower End Plate water distribution manifold Item 135. The extensive size of the passageway is to provide thermal stability to the Housing 400.

[0069] Item 455 is the inside elliptical cam surface of the Housing 400. The geometry is a classical ellipse with a major and minor axis. This simple cam surface supersedes all complex, prior attempts to satisfy the requirement for a continuously changing height of the combustion chamber. Prior efforts included complex sinusoidal implementations, which were characterized by high acceleration ramp changes. Unfortunately, these resulted in intensive wear patterns, including chatter, gouging, and ripple effects on the ramp. Complex lubrication was requiring for these implementations, resulting in residual oil in the combustion chamber which lead to excessive nitrogen-oxygen (NOx) products.

[0070] Please refer next to FIG. 7, which is the Drive Shaft 500. The Drive Shaft is the component of the device that couples all generated power to the load. It integrates an internal passageway that provides cooling and lubrication oil to all rotary components. Because its function is novel, two views, external and cut-away, are provided, to help understand the description

[0071] Item 505 is a spline section of the Drive Shaft. It has a standard 16 rib spline compatible with many devices (transmissions, gear boxes, etc.).

[0072] Items 510 and 530 serve an identical purpose. They provide a line-to-line press-fit interface for the bearings, which are housed inside the End Plates in a cavity Item 115.

[0073] Items 515 and 525 provide a line-to-line press-fit interface for the Rotor 300.

[0074] This section between the two collars has a slightly reduced diameter and forms the opposite ends of an oil manifold.

[0075] Item 520 is the oil manifold. It provides symmetrical distribution of cooling and lubricating oil to the Rotor 300 through 144 ports discussed earlier as Item 325 which is part of Rotor 300.

[0076] Item 535 is a section of the Drive shaft that supports the attachment of a commercial rotary union. The rotary union facilitates connection of cooling and lubricating oil to the rotating Drive Shaft.

[0077] Items 540, 545, and 550 are shown in the cut-away view of the Drive Shaft 500 and are interrelated to the injection and distribution of cooling and lubricating oil. Item 550 is the inlet port, which is mated with the commercial rotary union discussed in the prior paragraph. Item 545 is the internal passageway that connects the inlet to outlet port 540. The outlet port is located in the center of the Rotor 300 manifold, and distributes oil to the 144 ports of the Rotor, Item 330.

[0078] Item 555 are groves in the Drive Shaft that provide the structure for installation of O-rings to seal the sides of the commercial rotary union to the driveshaft and eliminate oil leakage.

[0079] Item 560 is a threaded hole for an end cap. In order to machine the internal passageway Item 545 in Drive Shaft 500, an access means is required. After machining, a commercial screw cap is used to seal the opening.

[0080] Please refer next to FIG. 8, which is a cross-section view of the assembled device, with one section (quadrant) highlighted.

[0081] The six-sided chambers are formed by the inner cam surface of Housing 400, Rotor 300, a pair of adjacent Vanes 200, and (not shown) End Plates 100 and 100A.

[0082] As the Rotor 300 turns clockwise, the combustion chamber pointed by Index A is a very small, expanding chamber which is manifest when Rotor 300 passes the top-center of the inner cam surface, just past the top of elliptical minor axis.

[0083] As the Rotor continues to turn clockwise, the chamber expands, as shown by Index B.

[0084] At maximum chamber height, as shown by Index C, occurs when Rotor reaches a horizontal position of the inner cam surface, which is the elliptical major axis.

[0085] As the Rotor continues to turn clockwise, the cycle repeats these steps in reverse sequence.

[0086] Index D is a related feature. It is pointing to Pin 215 of Vane 200. This pin is assembled into pin track 120 of End Plates 100 and 100A. It is this pin track that determines radial Vane 200 position, and its extension beyond the perimeter of Rotor 300.

[0087] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that although the device shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 is a Circle-Ellipse Engine, the present invention can be implemented in other embodiments including a pump, a compressor and an expander.

[0088] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and the scope of the invention is to be defined solely by the appended claims when accorded a full range of equivalence, many variations and modifications naturally occurring to those of skill in the art from a perusal hereof. As is readily, apparent the system and method of the present invention is advantageous in several aspects.