Method and apparatus for converting rotary motion to lineal motion

摘要

An apparatus and method of orbiting a first mass unit alternately about spaced centers of rotation with the orbit around each of the spaced centers of rotation extending for approximately one-half of a complete circle, orbiting a second mass unit side-by-side with the first mass unit but in the opposite direction, and adjusting the spaced centers of rotation relative to each other so that the resultant of first and second unbalanced centrifugal forces produced by the first and second mass units is a substantially straight line. The apparatus provides side-by-side outer wheels spinnable in opposite directions about a common axis, inner wheels positioned within the outer wheels and formed for joint rotary movement therewith about the common axis, the inner wheels being mounted for eccentric rotation with respect to the outer wheels about an offset axis so that spacing between the inner and outer wheels varies as they are rotated jointly about the common axis, a plurality of generally radially extending rods are slidably mounted in the rims of the inner and outer wheels and have the mass unit on the outer end of each such rod, inner and outer orbit limiting keepers are mounted in spaced relation along each of the rods so that the radius of orbit of the mass units is varied by alternate engagement of the orbit limiting keepers with the rims of the inner and outer wheels.