SINGLE-SHAFT DUAL EXPANSION INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

A single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine includes first and second power cylinders and an expander cylinder. The cylinder head fluidly couples the first and second power cylinders and the expander cylinder. First and second power pistons reciprocate in the first and second power cylinders and connect to a first crankpin of the crankshaft. A multi-link connecting rod assembly includes a rigid main arm supporting a first pivot pin, a second pivot pin and a third pivot pin. The first pivot pin connects to an expander piston reciprocating in the third cylinder. The third pivot pin couples to a first end of a swing arm, and a second end of the swing arm rotatably couples to a fourth pivot pin that couples to a distal end of a rotating arm that attaches to a rotating shaft coupled to rotation of the crankshaft.

主权项

1. A single-shaft dual expansion internal combustion engine, comprising:
an engine block, a cylinder head, a single crankshaft and a multi-link connecting rod assembly; the engine block including first and second power cylinders and an expander cylinder; the cylinder head fluidly coupling the first and second power cylinders and the expander cylinder; first and second power pistons reciprocating in the first and second power cylinders, respectively, and connected to respective first and second crankpins of the crankshaft; the multi-link connecting rod assembly including a rigid main arm extending orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft and supporting a first pivot pin located on a first end of the main arm, a second pivot pin located on a central portion of the main arm and a third pivot pin located on a second end of the main arm; the first pivot pin coupled via a connecting rod to an expander piston reciprocating in the third cylinder; the second pivot pin coupled to a third crankpin of the crankshaft, the third crankpin having a throw that is rotated 180 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft from a throw of the first and second crankpins; and the third pivot pin coupled to a first end of a swing arm, and a second end of the swing arm rotatably coupled to a fourth pivot pin that couples to a distal end of a rotating arm that attaches to a rotating shaft coupled to rotation of the crankshaft.