Combination rotary internal combustion engine and ducted fan

摘要

A rotary internal combustion engine wherein the cylinders making up the engine block are radially disposed in a common plane and rotate with the output shaft. The engine block rotates within a surrounding cam surface and the pistons in each cylinder move radially in and out in a motion geometrically defined by connecting rods, a rocker arm pivoted at a point fixed with respect to the rotating engine block and a cam follower which rides on the cam surface. The rocker arm preferably is counterbalanced to reduce centrifugal forces on the cam surface. The cam surface is contoured to produce the motion to the pistons by means of the linkage as the engine block rotates. The engine block includes a rotary valve port associated with each cylinder. The engine block rotates into cooperating relationship with stationary inlet and exhaust ports in the engine housing to provide intake and exhaust cycles. The power stroke for each cylinder is radially outward and the piston drive linkage and cam slope are arranged to convert the radial forces into shaft torque. The engine has means for varying the compression during operation. A novel oil cooling system with centrifugally assisted circulation is also provided. The rotary engines can be selectively connected in series to form a multibank engine. The rotary engine of the present invention is ideal for powering light airplanes.