Vacuum operated motor

摘要

The motor has vacuum pumps (3), which evacuate one reservoir (4), and pressurise another reservoir. An applied vacuum forces the pump pistons to rise inside vacuum cylinders (6). At the top of the suction stroke, a flap valve shuts off the vacuum, and admits pressurised air, so powering the downstroke. The piston rods (8) have guide bushes (9) and carry rack gears (10) which cause bevel gears (11) to oscillate, and transmit the power through a freewheel ratchet mechanism to a shaft (12) of a flywheel (13). Belt drives (14,15,16) transmit power from the flywheel to a shaft (2) which drives the vacuum pumps and a generator (17). A starter motor (1) is linked to the vacuum pumps. Power take-off from the flywheel can be provided through a centrifugal clutch.