US3581628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inherently balanced reciprocating power plant
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-04
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1989-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A reciprocating powerplant is disclosed wherein cylinders are disposed in groups of four, with cylinders in each group disposed in side-by-side relation in two parallel rows. Crankshafts associated with the respective rows are parallel and are interconnected for counterrotation, and have cranks so disposed that the pistons in diagonally adjacent cylinders in the respective groups and rows move in the same direction and are at corresponding positions in their travel at any given time.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas V Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:54
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/06; F02B75/065; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/22; F16F15/24; F02B3/00; F02B3/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A reciprocating powerplant having cylinders arranged in groups of four, respective cylinders in such groups being disposed in a pair of parallel rows with corresponding cylinders in respective rows being in side-by-side relation, pistons disposed for reciprocation in said cylinders, individual crankshafts operatively associated with the respective rows and having cranks thereon coupled to said pistons, said crankshafts being interconnected for counterrotation and having said cranks thereon so disposed that pistons in diagonally adjacent cylinders in each group move in the same direction and are at like positions in their travel at any given time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A reciprocating powerplant having cylinders arranged in groups of four, respective cylinders in such groups being disposed in a pair of parallel rows with corresponding cylinders in respective rows being in side-by-side relation, pistons disposed for reciprocation in said cylinders, individual crankshafts operatively associated with the respective rows and having cranks thereon coupled to said pistons, said crankshafts being interconnected for counterrotation and having said cranks thereon so disposed that pistons in diagonally adjacent cylinders in each group move in the same direction and are at like positions in their travel at any given time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 1 having four cylinders, successive cranks in each of said crankshafts being angularly offset from each other by 180* so that the pistons in successive cylinders in each row are disposed at top dead center and bottom dead center simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 1 having a total number of cylinders which is a multiple of four, each of said crankshafts having successive pairs of cranks, the successive individual cranks in each of said pairs being angularly offset from each other by 180* so that the pistons in successive cylinders in each row are disposed at top dead center and bottom dead center simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 1 having eight cylinders, each of said crankshafts having first and second successive cranks angularly offset from each other by 180* so that the pistons in the first and second successive cylinders in each row are disposed at top dead center and bottom dead center simultaneously, and each of said crankshafts having third and fourth successive cranks angularly offset from each other by 180*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 4, wherein said third and fourth successive cranks lie in a plane disposed at right angles to a plane containing the first and second successive cranks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 5, wherein the third successive crank of each crankshaft is angularly offset from the second crank by an angle of 270* in the direction of rotation of such crankshaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 6, wherein one of said crankshafts has a 0-180-90-270 crank configuration, and the other has a 180-0-90-270 crank configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said crankshafts has successive cranks arranged in groups of two, the individual cranks of each group being angularly offset from each other by 180*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A reciprocating powerplant in accordance with claim 8, wherein each group lies in a plane disposed at right angles to a plane containing the cranks of an adjacent group.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |