The linear rotary cylinder engine

摘要

Reciprocating piston engines with power chambers linearly arranged in series have 3/4 fewer engine parts than comparable four-cylinder engines. The thereby equally reduced inertial forces, counteracted by gas forces in each cycle, result in a purely power-related piston force, which always acts with a positive torque and low cyclic irregularity. The charge cycle is controlled by rotation of the cylinder, common to all power chambers, by means of port control, optimum adjustment of the port timing to the charge cycle being possible. At the same time, the ports located on the circumference of the cylinder are enclosed by cylinder sleeves, into which the gas feed and exhaust passages open, and closed gas-tight during the cylinder power phase. The sealing elements between cylinder and sleeves correspond to the piston ring seals, thereby ensuring sealing of the swept volumes and fit-free rotation of the cylinder. Such an engine comprises only four moving parts, whilst the low internal resistances decisively improve the mechanical efficiency and the unimpeded port control improves the combustion performance. The engine dimensions, reduced to approximately 1/4 those of a conventional engine, the resulting low cost of material and manufacture and finally the low engine weight rank as a further advance. <IMAGE>