Abstract
A rotary cam radial engine formed of two primary components engaged at a mid section to allow for an easy repair to the vehicle. The device features a body having radially oriented apertures; and a plurality of pistons in a respective reciprocating engagement, within each respective said cylinder. The pistons are driven by low pressure fluids and/or a vacuum and the engine being formed of two main components can be taken apart without tools for maintenance and reconfiguration.
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A rotary cam radial engine, comprising: an engine assembly comprising: an engine body defining a valve cavity; and one or more piston assemblies attached to and extending radially from the engine body and in fluid communication with the valve cavity, each piston assembly including a cam follower; and a first cam ring assembly comprising: a first cam ring defining a first cam surface including a plurality of compression lobes and a plurality of exhaust cavities; and a first central valve assembly attached to the first cam ring, wherein the first central valve assembly is removably and slidably insertable into the valve cavity of the engine assembly to permit relative rotation between the first cam ring assembly and the engine assembly with the cam follower of each piston assembly following the first cam surface during the relative rotation.
22. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, further comprising a second cam ring assembly, the second cam ring assembly comprising: a second cam ring defining a second cam surface including a plurality of compression lobes and a plurality of exhaust cavities; and a second central valve assembly attached to the second cam ring, wherein the second central valve assembly of the second cam ring assembly is removably and slidably insertable into the valve cavity to permit relative rotation between the second cam ring assembly and the engine assembly with the cam follower of each piston assembly following the second cam surface during the relative rotation, wherein a number of compression lobes of the second cam surface differs from a number of compression lobes of the first cam surface, and wherein a number of exhaust cavities of the second cam surface differs from a number of exhaust cavities of the first cam surface.
23. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 22, wherein the first cam ring assembly and the second cam ring assembly are interchangeably slidably and removably insertable into the valve cavity without requiring disassembly of the engine assembly.
24. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein a number of compression lobes of the first cam surface is equal to a number of exhaust cavities of the first cam surface and unequal to a number of piston assemblies of the engine assembly.
25. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein the engine assembly is fixed and the first central valve assembly rotates within the engine body when the first central valve assembly is removably and slidably inserted into the valve cavity.
26. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein the first cam ring comprises a plurality of magnets mounted to the first cam ring.
27. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 26, further comprising a wire coil in electromagnetic communication with the plurality of magnets, such that, when the rotary cam radial engine is operating, the wire coil generates electrical current.
28. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein the first cam surface comprises one or more elements removably connected to the first cam ring, the one or more elements defining the plurality of compression lobes.
29. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein the cam follower comprises a roller.
30. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 21, wherein: the first central valve assembly comprises one or more intake openings and one or more exhaust openings, and the one or more intake openings and one or more exhaust openings are positioned on the first central valve assembly based upon a configuration of the first cam surface.
31. The rotary cam radial engine according to claim 30, wherein the one or more intake openings and the one or more exhaust openings of the first central valve assembly regulate the fluid communication between the engine body and the one or more piston assemblies during the relative rotation.
32. A rotary cam radial engine kit, comprising: an engine assembly, comprising: an engine body defining a valve cavity; and one or more piston assemblies attached to and extending radially from the engine body and in fluid communication with the valve cavity, each piston assembly including a cam follower; and a plurality of cam ring assemblies, each cam ring assembly comprising: a cam ring defining a cam surface including a plurality of compression lobes and a plurality of exhaust cavities; and a central valve assembly attached to the cam ring, wherein the central valve assembly of each cam ring assembly is removably and slidably insertable into the valve cavity to permit relative rotation between the respective cam ring assembly and the engine assembly with the cam follower of each piston assembly following the respective cam surface.
33. The rotary cam radial engine kit according to claim 32, wherein each cam ring defines a unique cam surface.
34. The rotary cam radial engine kit according to claim 32, wherein at least one of the cam ring assemblies includes a cam surface comprising one or more elements removably connected to the cam ring, the one or more elements defining at least a plurality of compression lobes.
35. The rotary cam radial engine kit according to claim 32, wherein the engine assembly is fixed and the central valve assembly rotates within the engine body when the central valve assembly is removably and slidably inserted into the valve cavity.
36. The rotary cam radial engine kit according to claim 32, wherein the one or more piston assemblies are removably attached to the engine body.
37. The rotary cam radial engine kit according to claim 32, wherein at least one cam ring assembly further comprises a plurality of magnets attached to the cam ring.
38. A cam ring assembly for use in a rotary cam radial engine having a central valve cavity, the cam ring assembly comprising: a cam ring defining a cam surface including a plurality of compression lobes and a plurality of exhaust cavities; and a central valve assembly attached to the cam ring, wherein the central valve assembly of the cam ring assembly is configured for removable and slidable insertion into the central valve cavity, thereby permitting the cam ring to rotate about an axis passing through the central valve assembly.
39. The cam ring assembly according to claim 38, wherein the cam surface comprises one or more elements removably connected to the cam ring, the one or more elements defining the plurality of compression lobes.
40. The cam ring assembly according to claim 38, further comprising a plurality of magnets carried by the cam ring.
41. The cam ring assembly according to claim 38, wherein the central valve assembly comprises one or more intake openings and one or more exhaust openings, and wherein the one or more intake openings and the one or more exhaust openings are configured based upon a configuration of the cam surface.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0104] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.
[0105] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective top view: of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons.
[0106] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons.
[0107] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons.
[0108] FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons.
[0109] FIG. 5 depicts a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons.
[0110] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded perspective view of the central rotating valve with the top and bottom cap removed.
[0111] FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the central rotating valve with side broken away to expose the internal divider section.
[0112] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using three pistons and illustrating the construction of one piston assembly.
[0113] FIG. 9 depicts an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine illustrating in greater detail the construction of one piston assembly.
[0114] FIG. 10 depicts a bottom view of the second alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine exposing a plurality of permanent magnets to be used as a generator armature.
[0115] FIG. 11 depicts a top perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a cast central housing.
[0116] FIG. 12 depicts a bottom perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a cast central housing.
[0117] FIG. 13 depicts a top plan view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a cast central housing with a portion of the lower cylinder broken away exposing the location of the piston assembly.
[0118] FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a cast central housing.
[0119] FIG. 15 depicts an exploded perspective view of both sections of the cast central housing, namely, the upper cast central housing and the lower cast central housing.
[0120] FIG. 16 depicts an exploded view of both segments of the third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a cast central housing.
[0121] FIG. 17 depicts an exploded perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Uniflow Steam Engine using the basic configuration of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine.
[0122] FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of the optional uniflow central rotating valve.
[0123] FIG. 19 depicts a bottom view of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine using a combination of different sized piston cylinders.
[0124] FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of the stationary engine body of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine.
[0125] FIG. 21 a schematic top view of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine illustrating the direction of exhaust flow.
[0126] FIG. 22 shows perspective view of a particularly preferred mode of the piston, employing fluid channels for communicating at least some of the pressurized air or steam to the piston seal engaged within a piston seal recess, providing a self-renewing positive pressure of the seal against the cylinder wall.
[0127] FIG. 22a shows a detailed view depicting a preferred tapered upper and lower surface of the piston seal recess.
[0128] FIG. 23 shows a side view of a preferred mode of the piston assembly employing the piston of FIG. 22.
[0129] FIG. 24 shows another side view of the piston assembly of FIG. 23.
[0130] FIG. 25 shows a bottom view of another preferred mode of the piston cylinder having a chambered leading edge for easy insertion into the cylinder locating cavity of the engine body (as well as a seat for an o-ring seal) and an exhaust port for a uniflow type exhaust, which would not exist in the non-uniflow exhaust system.
[0131] FIG. 26 shows a side view of another preferred mode of the engine body.
[0132] FIG. 27 shows a partial assembled view of the engine body of FIG. 26 with the piston assembly of FIGS. 23 and 24.
[0133] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred piston retaining ring which provides a means for retaining the cylinders against the engine body, and restricting the pistons rods to strictly linear motion.
[0134] FIG. 29 depicts a top view of the piston retaining ring of FIG. 28.
[0135] FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of another preferred mode of the exhaust manifold.
[0136] FIG. 31 a view of the engine body with six pistons and cylinders, also depicting the engagement of the retainer ring and exhaust manifold.
[0137] FIG. 32 shows a top view of another preferred mode of the rotating cam ring.
[0138] FIG. 33 shows a top view of still another preferred mode of the rotating cam ring employing removably engageable lobe portions for torque and horse power tuning.
[0139] FIG. 34 depicts a bottom view of the engine body assembly of FIG. 31 engaged to the cam ring of FIG. 32.
[0140] FIG. 35 depicts a top view of a rotor assembly employing an array of permeant magnets.
[0141] FIG. 36 shows a exploded perspective view of a preferred stator assembly which be dissembled into individual parts for easy removal or replacement.
[0142] FIG. 37 shows a top view of the assembled stator assembly of FIG. 36.
[0143] FIG. 38 shows a exploded perspective view of another preferred mode of the device configured for employment with the rotor and stator assemblies of FIGS. 36 and 37 respectively.
[0144] FIG. 38a shows a partial assembled view of the invention, showing the device assembled into two sub assemblies, namely the rotor assembly and the engine body assembly.
[0145] FIG. 39 shows an assembled perspective view of the device of FIG. 38, also depicting the stator assembly prior to an engagement with the device.
[0146] FIG. 40 depicts a final assembled view of the mode of the device of FIG. 39, also showing an engageable protective cover.
[0147] FIG. 41 shows a view of an optional condenser component for converting steam exhaust back into water.
[0148] FIG. 42 shows a schematic representation of a preferred as used mode of the device employing a wind powered mechanical pump to communicate pressurized air into a storage reservoir for use as a working fluid with the device. The electricity produced can then be stored in batteries.
[0149] FIG. 43 shows another preferred mode of the rotary cam with the cam follower track disposed between an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall for engaging the cam follower of the piston in a restricted engagement to drive a pumping action of the pistons during a rotation of the cam, thereby configuring the engine as a pump to create compressed air, or to be used as an effective vacuum pump.
[0150] FIG. 44 shows another mode of the rotary cam providing a five compression lobe cam.
[0151] FIG. 45 show another preferred mode of the invention wherein the a drive wheel is engaged to the outer perimeter of the top rotor plate.
[0152] FIG. 46 shows a valve/cam assembly employing the drive wheel incorporated into its outer perimeter.
[0153] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the design and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0154] Referring now to the drawings in FIGS. 1-46, wherein similar parts of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam engine 10 are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a perspective top view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A using three piston assemblies 12. The Rotary Cam Radial Steam engine 10 has been depicted in the horizontal position but it must be understood that the Rotary Cam Radial Steam engine 10 can operate in a wide variety of positions including vertical and still remain within the scope of this application. The outer rotating cam ring 14 with the supporting frame 16 incorporating a unique cam follower track or race 18 is configured with four compression lobes 20 and four exhaust cavities 22. It must be fully understood at this time that the Rotary Cam Radial Steam engine 10 can be configured with one, or more piston assemblies 12, two or more compression lobes 20 and two or more exhaust cavities 22 on an external rotating cam ring 14 while remaining within the scope of this application. The stationary engine body 24 is fixed to the engine mounting base plate 26 to be attached to a supporting structure. The stationary engine body 24 and the three-piston assemblies 12 remain in a fixed position while the outer rotating cam ring 14 rotates around a central axis. One or more engine body exhaust ports 28 is shown in the lower surface of the stationary engine body 24 along with ones or more engine intake.
[0155] The engine body 24 may be provided in a plurality of configurations for operative engagement of any number of piston assemblies 12 with the operative communication of valves for intake and exhaust from each. Provided as a kit of bodies 24 each configured for a differing number of piston assemblies 12 the user can easily assemble an engine having the desired number of piston assemblies 12 extending therefrom. A plurality of matching cam rings 14 with races matched to the number of piston assemblies 12 can also be provided in a kit. Because of the ease of assembly and disassembly, a user can easily dismantle and build an engine with the desired power output using a chosen number of cylinders and pistons with the correct cam ring 14.
[0156] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A using three piston assemblies 12, four compression lobes 20 and four exhaust cavities 22. This illustration shows the outer rotating cam ring 14 lower surface 30 and the cam roller shelf 32 located within the cam follower track or race 18. The piston cam roller 34 is visible at the upper end of the piston 36 resting within the piston cylinder 38 and held in place by the means of a cylinder retainer 40.
[0157] FIG. 3 depicts a bottom plan view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A using three piston assemblies 12. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 depicts a side view and top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A using three piston assemblies 12.
[0158] FIG. 6 depicts an exploded perspective view of the central rotating valve assembly 50 with the upper cap 52 and the lower cap 54. The upper cap 52 has a forward and a reverse rotational direction slot 56 on the upper surface. The upper cap 52 engages within the steam chest area 58 of the central rotating valve 50 and seals by the means of an o-ring in the o-ring recess 60. The exterior surface of the central rotating valve 62 consists of a valve intake groove 64 with one or more main intake ports 66 into the steam chest area 58. One or more intake openings 68 lead into piston cylinder 38 and one or more exhaust openings 70 release the pressure into the lower steam chest cavity 84 depicted in FIG. 7, where it is ducted out through one or more main exhaust ports 74, and into the valve exhaust groove 72. O-ring grooves 76 at the top and bottom of the central rotating valve 50 seal the device within the rotating valve cavity 78 in the stationary engine body 24. FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the central rotating valve 62 with the side broken away to expose the internal divider section 80 and the upper steam chest cavity 82 and lower steam chest cavity 84.
[0159] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A where the outer rotating cam ring 14 is shown above the central rotating valve assembly 50, the stationary engine body 24 and the piston assembly 12. The piston assembly has threads. The central rotating valve assembly 50 will be fixably attached to the supporting frame 16 in the Rotating valve mounting orifice 88.
[0160] FIG. 9 depicts an enlarged exploded perspective view of stationary engine body 24 and the piston assembly 12 of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10A. Cylinder locating cavity 94 with an o-ring groove 96 sealing the piston cylinder 38 are shown on the sides of the stationary engine body 24. The stationary engine body 24 has an optional pre-heat chamber 25 that is a port through the Engine mounting base plate 26 that will allow the first steam introduced to the engine to pass through the stationary engine body 24 only to be routed/ported after the body has reached a certain temperature most ideal for efficient running into the central rotating valve assembly 50 for distribution to the cylinders 38. An elongated slot 98 is located on the back wall 100 of the locating cavity 94 extending into the upper steam chest cavity 82 and lower steam chest cavity 84. One or more engine bore exhaust ports 28 enter into the rotating valve cavity 178 along with one or more engine intake ports 29 that are in alignment with the valve intake groove 64 in the central rotating valve 62. The piston cylinder 38 with optional threads 92 is shown adjacent to the cylinder retainer 40 that will be secured to the Stationary engine body 24 by the means of four cylinder mounting bolts 102. The cylinder 38 can also be retained to the main body 24 by means of threaded connection on each directly connecting the two pieces. A piston 104 with one or more o-ring groove 106 secured to the piston 36 moves independently within the piston cylinder 38.
[0161] FIG. 10 depicts a bottom view of a second alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10C exposing a plurality of permanent magnets 110 imbedded into the rotating cam ring lower surface 30 to be used as a generator armature.
[0162] FIG. 11 depicts a top perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10D using cast central housing halves 114 and 116 retaining the piston cylinder 38. The outer rotating cam ring 14 and the central rotating valve 62 can be typical throughout all of the embodiments of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam engine 10. FIG. 12 depicts a bottom perspective view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10D. FIG. 13 depicts a top plan view of a second alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10D with a portion of the lower cylinder broken away exposing the location of the piston assembly 12. FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of the third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10D. FIG. 15 depicts an exploded perspective view of both typical sections of cast central housing 116. FIG. 16 depicts an exploded side view of a third alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10D illustrating both the top half of the cast central: housing 114 and the bottom half of the cast central housing 116 also illustrating the piston 36 and the piston cylinder 38.
[0163] FIG. 17 depicts an exploded perspective view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Uniflow Steam Engine 10E. This engine uses the basic configuration of the preferred embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10 except for exhaust 122 with orifices 124 leading to interconnecting exhaust elbows 126 covering one or more uniflow exhaust ports 128 in each of the piston cylinders 38. The exhaust is then emitted through an exhaust port 132 in the exhaust manifold 122.
[0164] FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of the optional uniflow central rotating valve 130 having only the intake port 66 along with the valve intake groove 64, with the exhaust totally removed by the means of the uniflow exhaust ports 128 in the piston cylinders 38. This uniflow central rotating valve assembly 130 would not have the exhaust port 70 that is used in the previously described central rotating valve 62. Another difference between this central rotating assembly 130 and the previously described central rotating valve 64 is the presence of the elongated slot intake opening 134.
[0165] FIG. 19 depicts a bottom view of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10F using a combination of different sized piston cylinders assemblies 138, 140 and 142.
[0166] FIG. 20 depicts a perspective view of the stationary engine body 144 of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10F where only one of the cylinder locating orifice back walls 100 has an elongated slot 98 in it and the others are solid. This is because the exhaust is directed from the other exhaust ports.
[0167] FIG. 21 a schematic top view of the fifth alternate embodiment of the Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10F illustrating the direction of exhaust flow. This view/illustration shows the exhaust being collected at the prior and smaller cylinder 138 in one of the exhaust manifolds 122 and directed towards the case to cylinder joint area where the piston will be then driven outward lineally until the top of the piston has reached the uniflow exhaust area for the exhaust gasses to be exhausted and directed to the next larger piston 140, or out of the engine in the case of the last piston 142 to make use of the exhaust steam.
[0168] FIG. 22 shows perspective view of another particularly preferred mode of the device with the piston cap or piston 104 configured with one or a plurality of fluid channels 105 communicating from a first end at an opening in the top surface 107 of the pistons 104 and along a conduit behind the sidewall of the piston 104 to a second end communicating with the pistons sealing ring groove 106.
[0169] These channels 105 provide a means for communicating a small volume of pressurized air or steam from the piston/cylinder chamber into the rear/central wall of the piston sealing ring recess 106 and thereby communicate a volume of pressurized gas behind the rings, which provides a bias to the opposite side of the sealing ring, or wraps of sealing ring material such as flexible TEFLON chord urging it toward the cylinder walls within the cylinder chamber/cavity 38 and providing an enhanced seal between the piston 104 and cylinder walls 38.
[0170] Thus, a constantadjusting and self renewing positive pressure force of the sealing wrap of material is biased toward and against the cylinder 38 interior wall throughout the power cycles of the piston. Those skilled in the art may envision other means for a self-renewing piston seal which may slightly or moderately differ than the preferred mode currently show, however without departing from the scope and intent of this invention are anticipated.
[0171] In this or other preferred mode, the seal can be provided by a conventional o-ring, or may be comprised of a plurality of wraps of a suitable high temp, low friction material, such as TEFLON, within the recess 106. However it is noted that it is of particular further advantageous utility of the present invention that the internal pressure, self-renewing features will allow the short term effective use of non-conventional materials to be employed as a sealing means such as cotton chord or many materials capable of making numerous wraps within the pistons sealing recess. Even with the wear of the non-conventional material seal, the self-renewing internal pressure feature will maintain an adequate seal over a prolonged period of time until a more efficient replacement can be acquired. It is noteworthy that due to the low pressures and temperatures required to run this engine, very low friction materials such as TEFLON or PEET can be employed with quality longevity in use as the piston. The use of this type of low friction materialwhen combined with the self adjusting and self renewing features of the piston sealing systemcoupled with the ability to eliminate the length of piston skirt normally associated with a piston essentially eliminates the requirement of providing a petroleum based lubricant to prevent galling and destruction of the piston.
[0172] The pistons 12 have this novel sealing ring design in which a seal material can be a soft chord type material ideally made of a flexible TEFLON or high heat, low friction material which can be wrapped several times around the pistons sealing ring recess 106. The channels 105 allow a pressure equal to that existing inside the cylinders chamber to provide pressure moving the flexible wraps of material being used as the sealing feature outward against the cylinder wall. This feature alone will produce an excellent seal for the piston 12 to cylinder 38 seal.
[0173] However, in addition, the recess 106 cut into the piston 12 to accept the flexible sealing wraps of material have a further enhancing feature. In FIG. 22a, there is shown a detailed view depicting the upper 101 and lower 103 surfaces of the sealing ring recess 106 being slightly tapered with the smaller size of the recesses 106 taper being on the inward side of the recess 106 and the large dimension of the taper existing on the radially outward opening of the recess 106.
[0174] The physics of this relationship provides a natural physical encouragement resulting from both outward tapered piston seal recess 106 responding to the pistons 12 motion, in either direction, and the pressures presented from the rear of the soft material wrapsto move the soft wraps of sealing material outward and against the cylinder 38 walls providing an excellent and constantly self adjusting and renewing seal.
[0175] A further valuable advantage of this novel system is that by using a number of wraps of the sealing material positioned around the sealing ring recess 106, there is no cut in the recess 106 as is required with a metal or even hard plastic or composite ring as is required to install the ring over the piston surfaces to locate it in its groove receptor. This leads to a further advantage in that most pistons require at least 2 rings to help compensate for the lost leakage of pressure that results from the requirement of a slit opening in the rigid ring. A final, and very valuable advantage of this design of piston 12 and ring is that because the ring material can be flexible and further has a pressure constantly pushing it outwards and groove geometry encouraging the same to provide a quality seal, the seal will remain quality, with no influence through the eventual wear that exists in a metal, plastic, ceramic or other composite of piston ring as commonly exists in piston engines.
[0176] FIG. 23 shows a first side view of another preferred mode of the piston assembly 12 employing the piston 104 of FIG. 22. In this mode an elongated substantially rectangular piston rod 37 is provided and communicates between the piston 104 at one end and the rotational cam follower 34 at the opposite end. Further it is intended that the cam follower 34 and piston 104 are asymmetrically aligned with the central axis of the piston rod 37 as clearly shown in the figure. The off center extension of the cross section of the piston rod 37 as shown, provides geometry in the rod which allows its close tolerance engagement within the track 148 of the FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 retaining ring feature.
[0177] This engagement feature prevents the inherent side forces which are created as a result of the alternating angle of the cam geometry creating side forces acting on the piston and rods lineal motion. It is the unrestrained transfer of these forces to the piston/cylinder mating surfaces that are responsible for the unwanted friction responsible for the wear and loss of energy in the piston to cylinder surfaces. FIG. 24 shows another side view of the piston assembly 12 of FIG. 23.
[0178] FIG. 25 shows a bottom view of another preferred mode of the piston cylinder 38 having a chambered leading edge 129 for easy insertion of the cylinder 38 into the cylinder locating cavity 94 of the engine body 145 half, of the two piece construction which employs the retaining ring 146 to maintain the cylinders 38 in place and to provide defined pathways for piston and rod translation when powered by expanding or pressurized fluid.
[0179] Uniflow exhaust ports 128 communicating through the cylinder wall are also provided for each cylinder 38. In the mode of the engine device 10G shown in FIG. 38 below, the engine exhaust is directed downward toward an exhaust manifold 154. A registering notch 131 disposed at the terminating edge opposite the leading edge 129 of the cylinder 38 is also provide and may be employed to register the cylinder 38 in an engagement with a complimentary protrusion 93 disposed within the cylinder retaining cavity 150 of the retaining ring 146 as shown in FIG. 29. Thus the registered engagement will provide a means for properly aligning the exhaust port 128 in a relative downward orientation.
[0180] FIG. 26 shows a side view of another preferred mode of the engine body 145 providing a uniflow engine device 10G. This mode of the body 145 includes a rotating valve cavity 78 communicating with six cylinder locating cavities 94 for employment with six of the piston assemblies 12 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24. Further, it is noted that this mode of the body 145 is especially well designed for cast molding in either metal or plastic materials as deemed suitable for the manufacturers intended purpose. FIG. 27 shows a top partial assembled view of the engine body 145 of FIG. 26 with piston assemblies 12 of FIGS. 23 and 24. It is additionally noted that in this mode the cylinders 38 are not required to have threads to engage to the body 145 and may instead engage within the locating cavities 94 via tight clearance tolerance of the cylinder 38 exterior diameter and the diameter of the cavity 94 or may employ o-ring seals if desired. Thus the current mode of the engine body 145, cylinders 38, and piston assemblies will facilitate a high ease of use by an unskilled user for servicing or replacing parts.
[0181] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of a particularly preferred piston retaining ring 146 providing a means for retaining the pistons 12 to strictly linear motion. In use the retainer ring 146 can be employed in a stacked configuration of the components of the device 10G positioned underneath the engine body 145 for engaging the piston rods 37 and cylinders 38. As shown, there are included six piston rod lineal guide tracks 148 corresponding to the current preferred six piston mode of the device 10G. In use, the wider offset portion of the asymmetric piston 12 is engaged within the lineal guide track 148 which provides linear guide during the reciprocating motion of the pistons 12. By incorporating the linear guide features of the retainer ring 146, all non-linear movements and forces of the piston 104 against the cylinder wall conventionally resulting from the interaction of the piston 12 with the cam ring 14, are eliminated. Again, no tools are required to install or remove the retainer ring 146.
[0182] The retaining ring feature FIGS. 28 and 29 also includes cylinder retaining cavities 150 which are preferably precision fit machined for securely retaining the cylinders 38 in their engagement in the locating cavities 94 of the body 145 without the use of fasteners, such as threads as previously disclosed. Further, the retaining ring 146 includes exhaust ports 152 within the cylinder retaining cavities which are intended to align with the exhaust ports 128 of the cylinders 38 for communicating the exhaust to the exhaust manifold 154 operatively stacked in the position there below. FIG. 29 depicts a top view of the piston retaining ring 146 of FIG. 28. It is noted that the provision of linear guide means provided by the retainer ring 146 can be incorporated into other embodiments of the engine 10, and should not be considered limited to the current six cylinder figure and mode only. It is additionally noted that the retaining ring 146 in at least one preferred mode is as a one piece component, however ether modes are envisioned wherein the ring 146 can be constructed of more than one piece with effective results.
[0183] FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of another preferred mode of the exhaust manifold 154 currently having six exhaust intake apertures 156 communicating with one or a plurality of exit apertures 158 via an annular passage 157 shown in the cut-a-way. The exhaust manifold 154 can be plastic molded from high temperature clear or colored plastics. This manifold 154 could also easily be formed via sand casting in aluminum or any other material with a sand core in the mold that can be disposed of in the same manor that sand casting central core are removed from their casting.
[0184] FIG. 31 shows a view of the engine body 145 with six pistons 12 and cylinders 38, also depicting the engagement of the retainer ring and exhaust manifold. An upper cavity portion 79 of the body 145 may be configured to receive a bearing (not show) to interface between the stationary body 145 and the rotating connector 180 employed for engaging the rotor assembly 164.
[0185] FIG. 32 shows a top view of another preferred mode of the rotating cam ring 14 having a cam follower track or race 18 formed of various lobes 20 and cavities 22 with sloped surfaces communicating therebetween. However in the current mode the apex of the lobe 20 extends radially outward from an imaginary centerline of the ring 14. Thus as the piston 12 traverses the track or race 18 past the lobes 20, the cam follower 34 always maintains a positive engagement with the track or race 18. This differs from previous modes of the device 10 wherein the lobes 20 extend radially inward toward the centerline (shown clearly in FIG. 3), and during higher RPM's the cam follower 34 may inadvertently loose contact with the track or race 18 as the follower 34 traverses over the inwardly extending lobe 20. In this mode the cam ring 14 also include a plurality of cooling fins 160 for cooling purposes and/or providing a heat sink means for the ring 14.
[0186] FIG. 33 shows a top view of still another preferred mode of the rotating cam ring 14 employing removably engageable lobe portions 162 for torque and horse power tuning. This allows the user to replace the lobe portions 162 with different ones having varying slopes between the lobes 20 and cavities 22 for adjusting the piston throw length, timing, and torque per piston. Removable engagement may be accomplished by means of removable fasteners, snap fit means, or other means suitable for the intended purpose. FIG. 34 depicts a bottom view of the engine body 145 assembly of FIG. 31 engaged to the cam ring of FIG. 32 showing the preferred six piston configuration wherein each piston 12 has one or more power strokes per revolution of the cam ring 14. In this current six piston configuration, the resulting combination is twenty four power strokes per single revolution of the cam 14.
[0187] FIG. 35 depicts a top view of a rotor assembly 164 employing an array of a plurality of permanent magnets 166. In use the rotor assembly 164 engages the cam ring 14 by means of removable fasteners, screws, bolts, snap fit means, or the means suitable for the intended purpose. The rotor plate 164 may be a single cast or machined part with, or is affixed to, the cam ring 14 by fasteners or other means suitable.
[0188] FIG. 36 shows a exploded perspective view of a preferred stator assembly 168 which be dissembled into individual parts for easy removal or replacement. The assembly 168 includes stator housing portions 170 and one or a plurality of stator coils 172. Those skilled in the art will envision that the inclusion of output wire leads communicating with the coils 172 will be necessary to communicate the electricity in the coils for practical use elsewhere, and is anticipated. Further, those skilled may envision various modifications to the coil wire material, gauge, number of windings, and number of coils as needed to achieve a desired wattage output given the torque and RPM's produced by the engine. As such these features may vary widely and will be determined by the designer, while any particular configuration should not be considered limiting.
[0189] The housing 170 is preferably disassembleable into a plurality of parts as shown for ease of removal of the stator assembly 168 from the engine 10G or for replacement of coils 172 as needed. The parts of the housing 170 may engage together via means of snap fasteners, or other fastener means generally not requiring tools, such as butterfly bolts. FIG. 37 shows a top view of the assembled stator assembly 168 of FIG. 36.
[0190] FIG. 38 shows a exploded perspective view of the six piston uniflow mode of the device 10G which is especially configured for employment with the rotor 164 and stator 168 assemblies of FIGS. 36 and 37 respectively. This mode of the device 10G is configured in a stacking arrangement to allow an unskilled user to easily and quickly remove parts for servicing or replacement. As shown, the stacking order from bottom to top referring to the orientation in the figure, however without implying limitations thereon, generally comprises: a base mounting plate 174, exhaust manifold 154, retainer ring 146, body 145 with piston assemblies 13, an optional body insulation component 176, rotating valve 130, cam ring 14, rotor 164, top rotor plate 165, cooling ring with fins 178, rotating connector 180, and the timing component 182. The timing component 182 engages to the top of the valve 130 via the rotating connector 180 and provides a means for adjusting the valve timing by adjusting the position of the valve 130 relative the cam ring lobes.
[0191] Advantageously, the timing component 182 is engaged on the top of the stacked arrangement of components such that the user does not have to remove any other parts in order to make the desired adjustments. A final locking or engagement of the Stacked components together in the body assembly, may be accomplished through the use of 3 or more butterfly bolts, beneath the mounting plate, at the bottom of the engine body's assembly and engaged into the bottom of the engine body itself. These three butterfly bolts (not shown but easily discerned for engagement by on skilled in the art) eliminate the need for tools which is a significant advantage in a third-world deployment. The bolts can be loosened and removed by hand.
[0192] In addition, it is noted that the timing component 182 can also be configured as a drive system means by employing v-belt pulleys, gear belt features, chain sprocket teeth, drive shaft, or gear teeth for transmission of power from the engine to another device. In short, this component 182 provides significant plurality of valuable features including engine timing adjustment, determining the engines rotational direction, and a power take off provision by an easy geometry change using an immediately accessible location, all in a single part.
[0193] To create the required geometry change in the relationship between the valve openings and the cam lobes which is required to reverse the rotation of the engine's direction, as well as to convert the engine's function from an engine, to a pump, the valve to cam component must provide the ability to be rotated a total of the number of degrees that exists between center to center, between two of the adjacent valve intake openings. This relationship is consistent regardless of the number of intake openings provided in any valve/cam assembly.
[0194] It is noted that the stacking arrangement of the various components of the engine, engage to form at least two sub assemblies 181, 183, shown in FIG. 38a. In the figure, there is shown a partial assembled view of the invention, showing the device 10G assembled into two sub assemblies, namely the rotor assembly 181 and the engine body assembly 183. The separate sub assemblies 181, 183 can be easily engaged together by hand, and without the use of fasteners, to provide a fully assembled engine driven by a choice of steam, compressed air, vacuum or pressurized gas, or which, with a simple rotational adjustment of an easily accessible timing component 182 can be used as an effective compressed air pump or a vacuum pump.
[0195] In order to assemble the two assemblies 181, 183 for the engine 10G to operate, the rotor assembly's 181 central valve 130 must be aligned and slipped down into the body's 145 valve cavity 78. Tapered bearing seats and a mating race in the engine body 145 may be employed to interface between the valve 130 and cavity 78.
[0196] To complete assembly each of the pistons rod followers 34, incorporating either a wheel fit with lubricated and sealed ball bearings or simply special sealed ball bearings, must be aligned to fit the followers 34 within the rotating cam rings follower track 18.
[0197] FIG. 39 shows an fully assembled perspective view of the device 10G of FIGS. 38 and 38a, also depicting the stator assembly 168 disassembled in to individual parts prior to an engagement with the device 10G, thus facilitating removal of the stator assembly 168 without removal of other engine parts.
[0198] FIG. 40 depicts a final assembled view of the mode of the device 10G of FIG. 39, showing the stator assembly 168 engaged to standoffs 175 extending from the base mounting plate 175 such that the coils 172 are positioned within the magnetic flux area in the space between the rotor 164 and top rotor plate 165. The top rotor plate 165 is preferably a ferro-magnetic material as the positioning of the plate 165 adjacent the coils 172 and above the magnets 166 of the rotor 164 provide a means for capturing the flux emanating from the magnets within the space between the rotor 164 and top plate 165. This flux capture has been shown to increase the flux communicating through the coils 172 as opposed to designs not employing a top rotor plate 165. Further, other modes of the engine are envisioned wherein the bottom surface of the top plate 165 include an additional array of magnets thus further increase the magnetic flux through the coils 172 due to both the rotor 165 magnets 166 and inclusion of top plate 165 magnets. Also shown is an optional insulated housing cover.
[0199] FIG. 41 shows a top view of an optional condenser component 186 for converting steam exhaust exiting the exhaust manifold 154 back into water. As such, when the exhaust passes into the manifold 154, it is then communicated to the condenser 186 for condensation and re-use.
[0200] FIG. 42 shows a schematic representation of a preferred as-used mode of the device 10G employing a wind powered 188 mechanical pump 190 to communicate 192, via hose or the like, pressurized air into a storage reservoir 194 for use as a working fluid for powering the device 10G. The electricity produced can then be stored in batteries 196 for later use. This configuration provides a substantial improvement to conventional wind powered electricity generation means, particularly the wind turbine, which has many drawbacks. First, the turbine is located at the top of the tower making servicing and repair extremely dangerous, expensive, and requires highly skilled technicians due to the conventionally complex turbine systems. Further, the electrical cables communicating with the turbines are typically extremely bulky, expensive, and difficult to handle. The device 10G and preferred as used mode shown, solves these problems by means of a mechanical pump which can be serviced by relatively low skilled technician, and the communication means 192 can be provided by a sealed conduit for communicating pressurized air which can be provided by a single conduit communicating low pressure air from a pump such on a windmill or water wheel or livestock driven wheel or the like.
[0201] FIG. 43 shows another preferred mode of the rotary cam 14 with the cam follower track 18 disposed between an inner sidewall 200 and an outer sidewall 202 providing a restricted track 18 for engaging the cam follower 34, in which rotation of the cam 14 will drive radial and inward and outward translation of the pistons 12. Thus, in this mode, the cam 14 may be driven by any number of natural or mechanical rotational forces such as a wind driven propeller or rotor, a stream driven paddle wheel, or rotational engine or motor, to provide every effective multi cylinder radial cam vacuum pump or air compressor. The effective and flexible nature of the cam designs means that the device can be used, with a small driving force, as an air pressure pump or a vacuum pump to create a simple-to-transfer energy obtained from a natural source such as wind or flowing water for storage in a container such as an air tank.
[0202] Thus it is of particular advantage that with the same device, simply by replacing the cam 14 to one of the preferred modes shown previously can convert the device into an engine to provide power to run any choice of devices requiring rotational forces, or, can provide electrical energy through its integral, built in rotor and stator configuration.
[0203] FIG. 44 shows another mode of the rotary cam 14 providing a five compression lobe cam 14. By replacing the valve/cam assembly from a 3 lobed cam, to a 5 lobed cam, the number of power strokes or compression or vacuum strokes per single revolution of the system changes from 18 strokes per single revolution to 30 strokes per single revolution. This provides a wide range of power and flexibility conservatively provided from the same body/cylinder/piston assembly and involves significantly decreased cost.
[0204] FIG. 45 and FIG. 46 show another preferred mode of the invention wherein the a drive wheel 204 engaged to the outer perimeter of a wheel hub 167 for engagement to the top rotor plate 165. This feature further provides valuable power/energy consumption flexibility. If a vehicle is carrying a load it might use more than one engine to provide its propulsion. If that same vehicle has no load, it might use only one engine and less need for energy consumption.
[0205] A further advantage of this feature is that it eliminates the need of space to house an engine and transmission within the vehicle body. That space can be used in any number of imaginable ways including simply a smaller sized vehicle providing good service and transportation.
[0206] A further advantage of this feature is that in situations where the vehicle is designed for warehouse or factory use, the engine(s) can be air driven with no indoor fossil fuel emissions. It is common for factories and even warehouses to have built into their system an air compressor with a network of outlets throughout the building. Transportation carts can be built that have a choice from one to four engines (one in each wheel) per cart.
[0207] When being used to transport human cargo, one engine can economically be used. If transporting components of weight, two or more can be engaged to carry the load. The same cart becomes highly efficient and quickly and easily refueled for multiple uses. Each parking area for a cart would have a quick connect air outlet which would allow a recharge of the cart during its stay in that location. Although a battery recharge can take hours, air recharges are quick and take seconds to minutes at most. As most drives through a factory or warehouse usually involve only a few minutes at most, the storage tanks and volumes required to be stored for ideal use of a cart would be lower pressure and small. The fuel and emissions would be clean air in, clean air out.
[0208] The Rotary Cam Radial Steam or fluid powered Engine 10 shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclosed arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present application. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a Rotary Cam Radial Steam Engine 10 in accordance with the spirit of this disclosure, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this design as broadly defined in the appended claims
[0209] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
