Multi-cylinder reciprocating piston machine - has crankless drive with gudgeon pins running in cam on shaft disc

摘要

The engine has a casing with a number of cylinders (3) set at an angle to each other. Each of these contains a reciprocating piston (4) which is extended downwards and carries two gudgeon pins (5) guided on the outside in straight slots (9) on the inside of the casing. The drive shaft has a central disc (1) which projects between the gudgeon pins of the pistons. The disc has a groove (2) on each side eccentric to the shaft axis (7) and the insides of the gudgeon pins run in these grooves. As the gudgeon pins are constrained to move linearly the forces they exert on the disc through the cam grooves produce rotation of the disc and shaft.