| 摘要 |
A radial, hot-gas engine which derives the necessary phase angle between hot and cold cylinders by locating them ninety degrees apart around the circumference of the crankcase, thereby eliminating complicated piston connecting rod linkages and permitting use of a simple eccentric and roller-follower drive arrangement between pistons and crankshaft. The radial design permits use of the crankcase as a pressure vessel and storage reservoir for the working fluid while keeping crankcase mass low relative to conventional engine designs. The invention also eliminates critical seals by application of an integral pump that scavenges working fluid from the crankcase reservoir and pressurizes the working cylinders when the engine is started, and maintains working pressure while the engine is in operation. Check valves, relief valves and an unloader valve arrangement control pressure, and equalize the pressure across the pistons when the engine is turned off by allowing the working fluid to return to the crankcase reservoir. An internal rotor winding resides within the crankshaft eccentric, and forms half of a combination starting motor/generator and electric transmission. Crankcase sections, each with its own array of pistons, cylinders and starter/generator windings, may be ganged to increase engine displacement and power.
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