Radial engine piston-crankshaft interfaces

摘要

Improved radial engine configurations where the pistons and their associated connecting rods interface with a center crankshaft by the use of slipper bearings, which only contact a portion of the center crankshaft throw. The improved radial engine crankshaft interface includes at least one connecting rod with a bearing that encircles the center crankshaft throw, and acts as a retaining ring for the slipper bearings.

主权项

1. A radial engine crankshaft interface, comprising a plurality of pistons arranged in a radial configuration around a center crankshaft, wherein:
the center crankshaft possesses a crankshaft throw; each of the pistons possesses a connecting rod with a first end pivotably affixed to the piston and a second end possessing a slipper bearing with a bearing surface that is shaped in an arc, the arc being of a substantially similar radius as the crankshaft throw and disposed upon a portion of the crankshaft throw; and the plurality of pistons is divided into a plurality of subsets of pistons, each of the plurality of subsets of pistons being aligned in a plane that is parallel to the planes of the other subsets of pistons, and each piston in each of the plurality of subsets of pistons possessing a connecting rod with a slipper bearing with a bearing surface in contact with the crankshaft throw.